Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
2-Mercaptoethanol (also β-mercaptoethanol BME 2BME 2-ME or β-met) is the chemical compound with the formula HOCH2CH2SH. ME or βME as it is commonly abbreviated is used to reduce disulfide bonds and can act as a biological antioxidant by scavenging hydroxyl radicals (amongst others). It is widely used because the hydroxyl group confers solubility in water and lowers the volatility. Due to its diminished vapor pressure its odour while unpleasant is less objectionable than related thiols.
