Abstract: Haloalkanethiols are synthesized through the free radical liquid phase reaction of halogenated olefins with an excess of hydrogen sulfide. High product yields to the desired haloalkanethiol products are secured when a 3 to 20 fold molar excess of hydrogen sulfide to halogenated olefin is used. Desirably, the synthesis is carried out to a conversion level not exceeding 90%. The haloalkanethiol products can be subsequently dehydrohalogenated to the corresponding episulfide products by reacting the haloalkanethiol product with a substantially equal molar amount of anhydrous ammonia.