1,2-Ethanedithiol is used as a reagent in organic synthesis to convert carbonyl compounds to thioacetals (1,3-dithiolanes). It replaces the toxic reagent arsenic tirchloride, which is involved in the synthesis of membrane-permeant fluorogenic biarsenicals from precursor dyes fluorescein and resorufin. It acts bidendate ligand to form complexes with metal ions.
