Early reports that diphosphorous trisulfide could be formed by heating red phosphorus and sulfur were shown to be incorrect by Helff in 1893.

In 1959, Pitochelli and Audrieth showed that the substance existed by X-ray diffraction but did not succeed in fully isolating it.

[4] In 1997, Lohr and Sundholm published a theoretical analysis of the potential structures of this molecular substance.

Produces phosphoric acid and hydrogen sulfide, a toxic flammable gas in reaction with water.

Reacts vigorously with oxidizing agents, including inorganic oxoacids, organic peroxides and epoxides.