Following the lead of Dachlauer and Jackel, contemporary routes to episulfides utilize a two-step method, converting an olefin to an epoxide followed by thiation using thiocyanate or thiourea.
Episulfides can also be prepared from cyclic carbonates, hydroxy mercaptans, hydroxyalkyl halides, dihaloalkanes, and halo mercaptans.  The reaction of ethylene carbonate and KSCN gives ethylene sulfide:
The metal-catalyzed reaction of sulfur with alkenes has been demonstrated.