Abstract New formaldehyde derivatives were prepared in good yields by a short and versatile route. Several crystal structures of corresponding thioacetic acid esters and thiols were determined. The thioacetates were cleaved under acidic or basic conditions affording the thiols in high yield, thus introducing the new substance classes of N-mercaptomethyl- alkylcarboxamides, N-mercaptomethylsulfonamides, and alkoxymethanethiols.
