Based on the domestic and foreign literature on the synthesis of butyl mercaptan using hydrogen sulfide as a sulfur source, the characteristics of various methods were discussed, especially the olefin vulcanization method. The catalytic behaviors of Lewis acid catalysts, zeolite catalysts, ion exchange resin catalysts, and transition metal salt-modified aluminum-based catalysts were expounded. The analysis suggests that the transition metal salt-modified aluminum-based catalyst can stabilize the active phase in the metastable state and has high catalytic activity, because of the strong interaction between the carrier and active metal. In order to remove hydrogen sulfide and obtain economic benefits, the sulfur source can be hydrogen sulfide in reducing flue gas and the carbon source can be low-carbon olefins produced in the process of petroleum catalytic cracking and olefins preparation from methanol.