A class of non aromatic compounds containing thiol functional groups (- SH) is mercaptan. Except for methyl mercaptan, which is a gas at room temperature, all other mercaptans are liquid or solid. Methylthiol is the most common foul smelling substance, an acidic gas with characteristics such as flammability, explosiveness, high toxicity, and high corrosiveness. It is a gas at room temperature, easily volatile, colorless, liquefied gas, or water white liquid with a strong odor;

Due to its lowest relative molecular weight among thiol organic compounds, methyl mercaptan is very active and easily reacts with other substances to form sulfur-containing substances. It is the main raw material for synthesizing pesticides, pharmaceuticals, food, and synthetic materials. Therefore, methyl mercaptan has a wide range of uses.

Because its threshold concentration in the air is only 2.1 × 10-6 g/m3, therefore people are very sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas. According to the "Emission Standards for Odor Pollutants", the secondary emission standards for methyl mercaptan at the factory boundary are: 0.007 mg/m3 for new expansion and reconstruction projects, and 0.010 mg/m3 for existing projects. Therefore, effective measures must be taken to treat it, in order to reduce or avoid the impact of odor on the surrounding environment.