Reactivity of 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol and catechol-containing phenolics in vitro

Volatile species with thiol functions are important contributors to the flavour of a wide variety of wine types. However, in spite of their importance, their fate during winemaking has not been fully elucidated. In this work, the iron-catalysed reaction between 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol, catechol-containing phenolics, and sulfurous acid, under in vitro aerobic conditions was evaluated by means of electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results indicate that a direct addition reaction between the thiol and some of the phenolics tested, and between sulfite and some of the phenolics may occur, thus contributing evidence of a possible route of thiol losses in wines.