In contrast to the stenchy gaseous or liquid thiols, the salts are easy to handle solids.; Salts of alkanethiols are versatile intermediates for the synthesis of various thiol esters and thioethers. Alkanethiolates are strong nucleophiles and thus efficient reagents for SN2 type dealkylations of hindered esters and lactones. Cleavage of aryl methyl ethers.
