What disulfides would you obtain from oxidation of the following thiols?
a. CH₃CH₂CH₂SH
b. 3-Methyl-1-butanethiol (skunk scent)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the reaction. The oxidation of thiols (R-SH) leads to the formation of disulfides (R-S-S-R). This reaction involves the removal of hydrogen atoms from two thiol molecules and the formation of a covalent bond between the sulfur atoms.
2. Step 2: Write the general reaction for thiol oxidation. For a thiol molecule R-SH, the oxidation reaction can be represented as: $2R-SH\to R-S-S-R+H\_2$. This shows that two thiol molecules combine to form one disulfide molecule.
3. Step 3: Apply the reaction to part (a). For CH₃CH₂CH₂SH (1-propanethiol), two molecules of this thiol will react to form the disulfide. The product will be CH₃CH₂CH₂-S-S-CH₂CH₂CH₃ (1,1'-dithiobispropane).
4. Step 4: Apply the reaction to part (b). For 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, two molecules of this thiol will react to form the disulfide. The product will be 3-methyl-1-butanethiol disulfide, with the structure CH₃CH₂CH(CH₃)-S-S-CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃.
5. Step 5: Verify the products. Ensure that the products are correctly named and that the sulfur atoms are bonded to each other in the disulfide linkage. The oxidation process does not alter the carbon backbone of the original thiol molecules.

Key Concepts

Disulfide Formation

Disulfide formation occurs when two thiol groups (-SH) undergo oxidation, resulting in the creation of a covalent bond between the sulfur atoms, forming a disulfide bond (-S-S-). This reaction is crucial in biochemistry, as disulfides play a significant role in stabilizing protein structures.

Oxidation of Thiols

Oxidation of thiols involves the loss of electrons or hydrogen atoms from the thiol group, leading to the formation of disulfides. This process can be facilitated by various oxidizing agents and is essential in understanding the reactivity of thiols in organic chemistry.

Structural Isomers and Their Properties

Structural isomers, like 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms. Understanding the structural differences is important as they can influence the reactivity and properties of the thiols, affecting the types of disulfides formed during oxidation.