Thioalcohols, also known as thiols, are organic compounds that contain a sulfur atom bonded to a carbon atom and a hydrogen atom. They are characterized by the functional group -SH, which is similar to the hydroxyl group -OH found in alcohols. Thioalcohols have distinct odors, often described as strong or unpleasant, and are commonly found in nature, such as in certain amino acids and essential oils. These compounds play important roles in various chemical reactions and are used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds. Thioalcohols can also act as reducing agents and are involved in the formation of disulfide bonds, which are crucial for the stability of protein structures.