Thioethers can originate from both industrial sources and natural processes. Industrially, thioethers are used as intermediates in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other chemical products. They are also present in petroleum products and can be released during the processing and combustion of fossil fuels. Naturally, thioethers are found in the environment as a result of biological processes, such as the degradation of sulfur-containing amino acids like methionine and cysteine in plants and animals.
