The present invention discloses processes for producing methyl ethyl sulfide by contacting dimethyl sulfide and diethyl sulfide in the presence of a suitable catalyst. Methyl ethyl sulfide can be used as an odorant in natural gas. Integrated mercaptan and sulfide manufacturing systems and integrated methods for making mercaptans and sulfides also are disclosed.

Methods for synthesizing a mercaptan compound include the steps of contacting a nickel-molybdenum catalyst with H.sub.2S at a sulfiding temperature of less than or equal to 235 C. to form a supported sulfur-containing catalyst, and then contacting an alcohol compound or an olefin compound, H.sub.2S, and the supported sulfur-containing catalyst to form a reaction mixture containing the mercaptan compound.

Methods for synthesizing a mercaptan compound include the steps of contacting a nickel-molybdenum catalyst with H.sub.2S at a sulfiding temperature of less than or equal to 235 C. to form a supported sulfur-containing catalyst, and then contacting an alcohol compound or an olefin compound, H.sub.2S, and the supported sulfur-containing catalyst to form a reaction mixture containing the mercaptan compound.

Methods for synthesizing a mercaptan compound include the steps of contacting a nickel-molybdenum catalyst with H.sub.2S at a sulfiding temperature of less than or equal to 235 C. to form a supported sulfur-containing catalyst, and then contacting an alcohol compound or an olefin compound, H.sub.2S, and the supported sulfur-containing catalyst to form a reaction mixture containing the mercaptan compound.

A method for producing an organic mercapto compound or an intermediate thereof according to the present invention has a reaction step of reacting an alcohol compound including a sulfur atom with a thioamide compound having a structure in which an organic group is bonded to at least one bonding hand of a thioamide group, under acidic conditions.

A method for producing an organic mercapto compound or an intermediate thereof according to the present invention has a reaction step of reacting an alcohol compound including a sulfur atom with a thioamide compound having a structure in which an organic group is bonded to at least one bonding hand of a thioamide group, under acidic conditions.

A method for producing an organic mercapto compound or an intermediate thereof according to the present invention has a reaction step of reacting an alcohol compound including a sulfur atom with a thioamide compound having a structure in which an organic group is bonded to at least one bonding hand of a thioamide group, under acidic conditions.

The present invention relates to a process for producing methyl mercaptan, comprising the following steps: A) methanol is reacted with hydrogen sulfide to form a stream (M), preferably in gaseous form, comprising methyl mercaptan, unreacted H.sub.2S and possibly sulfur byproducts; B) optionally, said stream (M) is condensed; C) at least one step of purification of said stream (M) is performed to obtain a stream enriched in methyl mercaptan; D) the gaseous vents resulting from said at least one purification step are recovered, said gaseous vents comprising at least one sulfur compound, preferably H.sub.2S; E) a gas-liquid extraction of said at least one sulfur compound, preferably H.sub.2S, is performed with liquid methanol so as to obtain a liquid methanol enriched in sulfur compound(s), preferably in H.sub.2S; and F) optionally, said enriched methanol is used as reagent for the reaction of step A).

The present invention relates to a process for producing methyl mercaptan, comprising the following steps: A) methanol is reacted with hydrogen sulfide to form a stream (M), preferably in gaseous form, comprising methyl mercaptan, unreacted H.sub.2S and possibly sulfur byproducts; B) optionally, said stream (M) is condensed; C) at least one step of purification of said stream (M) is performed to obtain a stream enriched in methyl mercaptan; D) the gaseous vents resulting from said at least one purification step are recovered, said gaseous vents comprising at least one sulfur compound, preferably H.sub.2S; E) a gas-liquid extraction of said at least one sulfur compound, preferably H.sub.2S, is performed with liquid methanol so as to obtain a liquid methanol enriched in sulfur compound(s), preferably in H.sub.2S; and F) optionally, said enriched methanol is used as reagent for the reaction of step A).

The present invention discloses processes for producing methyl ethyl sulfide by contacting dimethyl sulfide and diethyl sulfide in the presence of a suitable catalyst. Methyl ethyl sulfide can be used as an odorant in natural gas. Integrated mercaptan and sulfide manufacturing systems and integrated methods for making mercaptans and sulfides also are disclosed.