For the first time, published data on the use of organic dithio derivatives (dithiophosphates, dithiocarbamates, xanthogenates, dithionates, etc.) and their metal salts as components of catalytic systems are surveyed. The organic dithio derivatives and their metal (Ni, Co, Fe, V, Sb, Ru, Rh, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, etc.) salts both in the pure form and in a bound form with Lewis acids are shown to be useful as either high-performance components or modifying additives to catalysts for chemical and petrochemical processes, such as dimerization, oligomerization, and polymerization of olefins and dienes; oligoalkylation of olefins in an aromatic solvent; catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feedstock; hydroformylation; olefin hydrogenation; and manufacture of aldehydes.