Phosphorus pentasulfide
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Phosphorus pentasulfide, also called phosphorus sulfide, sulfur phosphide, diphosphorus pentasulfide and phosphorus persulfide, has the empirical formula P2S5 but a more descriptive formula is P4S10. Its CAS number is [1314-80-3][link].
P4S10 is one of two industrially inorganic compounds of phosphorus and sulfur. Another imporant phosphorus sulfide is P4S6.
P4S10 is a yellow solid. Commercial samples often appears greenish-gray. Its melting point is 276-284 °C. The compound is soluble in CS2 and benzene but it react with most organic compounds. Its structure is related to that of adamantane, a common motif in inorganic chemistry. To envision its structure start by inserting sulfur atoms at the mid-sections of each of the six edges of the P4 tetrahedron ("white phosphorus"). This operation gives P4S6. Next, attach a terminal suflide to each phosporus.
Reactivity of P4S10
Due to hydrolysis by atmospheric moisture, P4S10 evolves a H2S, thus P4S10 is associated with a rotten egg odor. Aside from H2S, hydrolysis of P4S10 gives phosphoric acid.Other mild nucleophiles react with P4S10, including alcohols and amines.
Applications of P4S10
Phosphorus pentasulfide is used for manufacturing zinc dialkyl dithio phosphate, insecticides, matches, ore flotation agents, and various organophosphates. It is also a component of some amorphous solid electrolytes (eg. 2S-P2S5) for some types of lithium batteries.Phosphorus pentasulfide is a dual-use material, as it can be used for manufacture of the VX nerve agent.
It is a secondary hepatotoxin.
See also:
- Phosphorus sesquisulfide, P4S3, used in manufacture of matches.
- Phosphorus trisulfide, P2S3.
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