Novel di-, tri-, or tetra-thiols or thiolates of biphenyl, biphenyl derivatives, terphenyl or terphenyl derivatives, as represented by general formula (A), wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, Na, Li and K, and R.sub.1 to R.sub.7 are each H or an organic group, with the proviso that M.sub.1, M.sub.2 and R.sub.1 to R.sub.7 may be the same or different from each other; E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 are SM.sub.3 and SM.sub.4 (wherein M.sub.3 and M.sub.4 are each selected from the same group as defined above for M.sub.1 or M.sub.2) or each a group selected from among those as defined above for R.sub.1 to R.sub.7; and n is 1 or 0, with the proviso that when n is 0, E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 are SM.sub.3 and SM.sub.4 ##STR00001##