Combinatorial synthesis and screening of novel odorants such as polyfunctional thiols

Combinatorial chemistry was shown to be an efficient tool for the preparation of new aroma-impact compounds. In this case, polyfunctional thiols were synthesized quickly using halide reagents or Bunte salt intermediates. They were separated by gas chromatography and then characterized using low resolution EI and CI mass spectrometry. The individual sensorial properties of the thiol products (i.e. odor and perception threshold) were determined by GC-O (olfactometry) which uses the human nose as detector. The thiols were characterized based on their particular odors. 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol, a relevant flavor naturally present in beer and coffee, emerged as the most powerful of the thiol library.