dc.description.abstract | Advances, during the period 2008–18, in the chemistry of 1,2-dithioles as well as their applications in medicine and technology are presented. Additionally, for the better understanding of the extent of recent progress as well as a more complete overview of the topics, the chapter also includes a critical summary of the most relevant previously reported work concerning this subject. The examples of the synthesis of different 1,2-dithioles, starting from various fragments, are described herein following a systematic classification. Their reactivity is also thoroughly reviewed. The significance of lipoic acid, which has been also called a “universal antioxidant,” in the development of the multitarget profile drugs against Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its application for the preparation of functionalized nanoparticles is summarized. A survey of the literature data on the theoretical and experimental study of antioxidant properties of LA as well as its biochemistry is presented. The natural occurrence of compounds containing 1,2-dithioles is reviewed. Novel X-ray determinations of structures containing 1,2-dithiole moiety are listed. The synthesis and structure characterization of 3,3aλ4,4-trithia-1-azapentalenes is thoroughly discussed. | sr |