Compounds containing thiol groups on adjacent carbon centers are common. Ethane-1,2-dithiol reacts with aldehydes () and ketones () to give 1,3-dithiolanes:
Some dithiols are used in chelation therapy, i.e. the removal of heavy metal poisons. Examples include dimercaptopropanesulfate (DMPS), dimercaprol ("BAL"), and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid.