A new simple synthetic method for binary metal polysulfides and sulfides was developed by utilizing an in situ formation of boron sulfides and their subsequent reactions with metal-source oxides in a closed container at intermediate temperatures above 350 degreesC at which the boron sulfides react in a gaseous form. The versatility of the new method is demonstrated with oxides of various transition metals (Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Nb, Mo, Ru, and W) and rare-earth metals (Y, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Er) as starting materials that exhibit different chemical characteristics. Regardless of the oxidation states of metals in the starting materials, the sulfidation reactions occurred quantitatively with stoichiometric mixtures of boron and sulfur, and within 24 h the reactions yielded pure products of TiS2, TiS3, VS4, FeS2, NiS2, NbS3, MoS2, RuS2, WS2, Y2S3, and RS2 (R = Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Er) which were the thermodynamically stable phases under the reaction conditions. The scope and implications of the new sulfidation method are also discussed.