It forms brightly colored derivatives with many metal ions.

[2] The compound is closely related to 1,2-benzenedithiol but is often more widely used because it is less expensive.

3,4-Toluenedithiol is prepared by reduction of the bis(sulfonyl chloride) CH3C6H3(SO2Cl)2 with tin.

[4] Under the name "dithiol", 3,4-toluenedithiol was popularized as a reagent in qualitative inorganic analysis.

It was promoted as an alternative to hydrogen sulfide since it also forms colorful solid precipitates with a variety of metal ions.