Thiuram disulfides are a class of organic disulfides that have the general structural formula shown to the right.
They are prepared from the oxidation of their corresponding sodium salts of thiocarbamates with iodine:
The tetraethylthiuram disulfide compound, known as Disulfiram, is commonly used to treat chronic alcoholism by producing an acute sensitivity to alcohol ingestion by blocking acetaldehyde dehydrogenase conversion of acetaldehyde leading to a higher concentration of the aldehyde in the blood producing symptoms of a severe hangover.