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Poll: worst stench
Mercaptoethanol --- 7 (21.88%)
Butyric acid --- 7 (21.88%)
Other --- 18 (56.25%)

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Author: Subject: worst stench
phlogiston
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[*] posted on 4-2-2023 at 04:03


One class of compounds I haven't seen mentioned yet are alkynes.

In organic synthesis classes we've had to synthesise a number of small alkynes and all of them were really awfull, with a very low smelling threshold. Couldn't wash the smell of your hands or out of your clothes very well.




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DraconicAcid
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[*] posted on 4-2-2023 at 09:45


Quote: Originally posted by phlogiston  
One class of compounds I haven't seen mentioned yet are alkynes.

In organic synthesis classes we've had to synthesise a number of small alkynes and all of them were really awfull, with a very low smelling threshold. Couldn't wash the smell of your hands or out of your clothes very well.


I remember the smell of phenylacetylene, but it's fresh-baked bread compared to phosphines.




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Metacelsus
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[*] posted on 5-2-2023 at 09:20


In undergrad I made quite a few batches of 3,5-dithiahepta-1,6-diyne. Basically https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2,4-Dithiapentane but with ethynyl groups on the ends instead of methyl. It made the whole lab smell like weird truffles. Years later I still don't like truffles very much.

I agree that phenylacetylene isn't bothersome.

[Edited on 2023-2-5 by Metacelsus]




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[*] posted on 14-2-2023 at 07:49


It's not the worst of the worst but after prolonged exposure to cumene (2-phenylpropane) I think it's one of my least favorite odors. During the pandemic even small amounts would persist in my disposable masks and I would smell it all day. Makes me nauseous just thinking about it.



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[*] posted on 14-2-2023 at 09:18


I think the worst smelling chemical I ever smelled is the product of heating of MSG on aluminum foil.
It smells like things that were in a closed space for long, except it's much more pungent and also reminiscent of tobacco smoke.




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