The structures and energetics of eight substituted bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfides (RCS(2))(2), their associated radicals RCS(2)(*), and their coordination compounds with a lithium cation have been studied at the G3X(MP2) level of theory for R = H, Me, F, Cl, OMe, SMe, NMe(2), and PMe(2). The effects of substituents on the dissociation of (RCS(2))(2) to RCS(2)(*) were analyzed using isodesmic stabilization reactions. Electron-donating groups with an unshared pair of electrons have a pronounced stabilization effect on both (RCS(2))(2) and RCS(2)(*). The S-S bond dissociation enthalpy of tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD, R = NMe(2)) is the lowest in the above series (155 kJ mol(-1)), attributed to the particular stability of the formed Me(2)NCS(2)(*) radical. Both (RCS(2))(2) and the fragmented radicals RCS(2)(*) form stable chelate complexes with a Li(+) cation. The S-S homolytic bond cleavage in (RCS(2))(2) is facilitated by the reaction [Li(RCS(2))(2)](+)+Li(+)-->2 [Li(RCS(2))](*+). Three other substituted bis(thiocarbonyl) disulfides with the unconventional substituents R = OSF(5), Gu(1), and Gu(2) have been explored to find suitable alternative rubber vulcanization accelerators. Bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfide with a guanidine-type substituent, (Gu(1)CS(2))(2), is predicted to be an effective accelerator in sulfur vulcanization of rubber. Compared to TMTD, (Gu(1)CS(2))(2) is calculated to have a lower bond dissociation enthalpy and smaller associated barrier for the S-S homolysis.