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Aroma Chemistry Biochemistry

What makes skunk spray stink? – in C&EN

By Andy Brunning November 24, 2025
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Preview image for an infographic on what makes skunk spray stink. An image of a skunk and two sulfur-containing organic compounds are shown.
Click to view the full graphic on the C&EN site

Skunks are infamous for their stench, but what’s the chemistry behind the foul-smelling liquid they produce? And, more importantly, how can we use chemistry to get rid of it? The latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN takes a look. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.

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Tags: biochemistry chemistry science skunk smell thiols
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