What is "thioether"

n. (context chemistry English) any analogue of an ether, or general formula RSR', in which the oxygen has been replaced by sulfur; an organic sulfide

A thioether is a functional group in organosulfur chemistry with the connectivity C–S–C as shown on right. Like many other sulfur-containing compounds, volatile thioethers have foul odors. A thioether is similar to an ether except that it contains a sulfur atom in place of the oxygen. The grouping of oxygen and sulfur in the periodic table suggests that the chemical properties of ethers and thioethers are somewhat similar.