Abstract The reaction of mercaptoacetaldehyde dialkyl acetals 1a-c in the presence of sulfuric acid, polyphosphoric acid and zinc chloride is described. Other than the disulfide reported previously, new compounds 1, 2-bis-(mercapto) ethylene, 1, 2, 3-tris-(mercapto) ethane and 1, 2-bis-(mercapto) methane have been isolated for the first time.