3-Mercaptopropionic acid
3-Mercaptopropionic acid is an organosulfur compound with the formula HSCH2CH2CO2H. It is a bifunctional molecule, containing both carboxylic acid and thiol groups. It is a colorless oil. It is derived from the addition of hydrogen sulfide to acrylic acid.It is competitive inhibitor of glutamate decarboxylase, and therefore acts as a convulsant. It has higher potency and faster onset of action compared to allylglycine.
It is used to prepare hydrophilic gold nanoparticles, exploiting the affinity of gold for sulfur ligands.
