Polysulfane

A polysulfane is a chemical compound of formula H₂S_x, where x > 1, although sometimes disulfane, H₂S₂ is excluded. Polysulfanes consist of unbranched chains of sulfur atoms terminated with hydrogen. Compounds containing 2-8 concatenated sulfur atoms have been isolated, longer chain compounds have been detected, but only in solution. H₂S₂ is colourless, higher members are yellow with the colour increasing with the sulfur content. Even a trace of alkali will cause chemical decomposition, and containers need to be treated with acid to remove any traces of alkali.
In the chemical literature the term polysulfanes is sometimes used for compounds containing −(S_n)−, e.g. organic polysulfanes R−(S_n)−R.