Thioxoethenylidene

CCS is found in space in large quantities.^[1] This includes the Taurus Molecular Cloud in TMC-1, TMC-1c and L1521B. These are likely in young starless molecular cloud cores.^[2]

By condensing propadienedithione SCCCS or thioxopropadienone OCCCS in solid argon and irradiating with ultraviolet radiation, CCS is formed.^[1] Another way is via a glow discharge in a mixture of carbon disulfide and helium. Yet another way is through electron irradiation of sulfur containing heterocycles.^[1]

CCS and the anion CCS⁻ can be formed in solid neon matrices also.^[3]

CCS can be a ligand. It can form an asymmetrical bridge between two molybdenum atoms in Mo2(μ,σ(C):η²(C′S)-CCS)(CO)₄(hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate)₂ In this one carbon atom has a triple bond to a molybdenum and the other has a double bond to the other molybdenum atom, which also has a single bond to the sulfur atom.^[4]

The ultraviolet spectrum shows absorption bands between 2800 and 3370 Å and also in the near infrared between 7500 and 10000 Å.^[1] CCS can react with CCCS to form C₅S.^[1]

The infrared spectrum in solid argon shows a vibration band at 1666.6 cm⁻¹ called v₁ and another called v₂ at 862.7 cm⁻¹. The 2v₁ overtone is at 3311.1  cm⁻¹. A combination vibration and bending band is at 2763.4 cm^−1[1]

The microwave spectrum has emission lines 4₃ − 3₂ at 45.4 GHz and 2₁ - 1₀ at 22.3 GHz, important for detection of molecules in molecular clouds.^[2]

Theoretical predictions show that the C-C bond is 1.304 Å long and the C–S bond is 1.550 Å.^[5]