Thiolactones

Erdosteine is a molecule with mucolytic activity. Structurally it is a thioether derivative with two thioether groups. These two functional organosulfur groups contained in the molecule are released following first-pass metabolism with the conversion of erdosteine into its pharmacologically active metabolite Met-I (N-thiodiglycolyl-homocysteine).

thumb|right|α-, β-, γ-, and δ-lactones (left to right) Thiolactones are a class of heterocyclic compounds in organic chemistry. They are analogs of the more common lactones in which an oxygen atom is replaced with a sulfur atom. The sulfur atom is within the ring system and adjacent to a carbonyl group.

Kadethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid with the chemical formula C23H24O4S which is used as an insecticide. It is the most potent knockdown pyrethroid (even stronger than pyrethrin II) but it is relatively unstable, especially when exposed to light (due to both the furan ring and the thiolactone group in the molecule).

Citiolone is a drug used in liver therapy.