Synthesis of sulfoxides and sulfones:

Thioethers can as well be oxidized with hydrogen peroxide to provide a sulfoxide (R₂SO) which, on oxidation with a peroxyacid, provides a sulfone (R₂SO₂).

Figure: Synthesis of sulfoxides and sulfones.

Thioethers can be reduced by using Raney nickel - a catalyst that has hydrogen gas adsorbed onto the nickel surface. This reaction is specifically useful for reducing thioacetals or thioketals as this provides a means of converting aldehydes or ketones to alkanes. The reduction reaction's mechanism is radical based and is not completely understood.

Figure:  Reduction of aldehydes and ketals via cyclic thioacetals and cyclic thioketals respectively.