It is a common building block in organic synthesis and an excellent ligand for metal ions.

In the presence of base and an alkylating agent, 1,2-ethanedithiol converts to thioethers: Oxidation of 1,2-ethanedithiol gives a series of oligomers, including the cyclic bis(disulfide).

One distinguishing feature of the dithiolanes and dithianes derived from aldehydes is that the methyne group can be deprotonated and the resulting carbanion alkylated.

[citation needed] Like 1,3-propanedithiol, 1,2-ethanedithiol readily forms metal thiolate complexes.

Illustrative is the synthesis of the derivative diiron ethanedithiolate hexacarbonyl upon reaction with triiron dodecacarbonyl:[5]