Precursor of various pyrimidines by condensation with ?-dicarbonyl and related intermediates. For use as a convenient source of methanethiol in the conversion of alkyl halides to methyl sulfides, see: Org. Synth. Coll., 2, 345 (1943). Reagent for the conversion of amines to guanidines: J. Am. Chem. Soc., 71, 2476 (1949).