Dibenzyl sulfide

Dibenzyl sulfide is a symmetrical thioether. It contains two C6H5CH2- (benzyl) groups linked by a sulfide bridge. It is a colorless or white solid that is soluble in nonpolar solvents.

Crystallography
The crystal structure of the solid is of the orthorhombic system with space group Pbcn; number 60. The unit cell dimensions are a=13.991 Å b=11.3985 Å c 7.2081 Å. The molecules in the gas take the same form as in the solid with a C2 symmetry.

Production
Benzyl sulfide is commercially manufactured by treating potassium sulfide with benzyl chloride, followed by distillation of the product. It is also obtainable by desulfurization of dibenzyldisulfide with phosphine reagents.