Minor contamination by thiophenol is responsible for the disagreeable odour associated with this compound.

[2] Ph2S2 is rarely prepared in the laboratory because it is inexpensive, and the precursor has a disagreeable odour.

Like most organic disulfides, the C–S–S–C core of Ph2S2 is non-planar with a dihedral angle approaching 85°.

[4] A typical reaction entails the formation of PhS-substituted carbonyl compounds via the enolate: Ph2S2 undergoes reduction, a reaction characteristic of disulfides: Hydride reagents such as sodium borohydride and super hydride can also be used as reductants.

[6] Oxidation of Ph2S2 with lead(IV) acetate (Pb(OAc)4) in methanol affords the sulfinite ester PhS(O)OMe.