Phosphorus sesquisulfide
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| P4S3 | |
|---|---|
 |
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| General | |
| Systematic name | Phosphorus sesquisulfide |
| Other names | phosphorus trisulfide tetraphosphorus trisulfide phosphorus sulfide |
| Molecular formula | P4S3 |
| Molar mass | 220.093 g mol-1 |
| Appearance | yellow solid |
| CAS number | [1314-85-8] |
| Density and phase | 2.08 g cm-3,[1] solid |
| Solubility | carbon disulfide benzene acetone |
| Melting point | 174 °C |
| Boiling point | 408 °C |
| Related compounds | P4S10 P4O6 |
Phosphorus sesquisulfide is the chemical compound with the formula P4S3. Depending on purity, samples can appear yellow-green to grey. The compound was discovered by G. Lemoine and first produced safely in commercial quantities in 1898 by Albright and Wilson. It dissolves in an equal weight of CS2, underscoring the remarkable ability of CS2 to dissolve sulfur-rich compounds.
This bicyclic heterocycle has C3v symmetry. It is a derivative of P4 by insertion of S atoms between three P-P bonds. The P-S and P-P distances are 2.090 and 2.235 Å, respectively.[1]
[edit] Other phosphorus sulfides and selenides
Several molecular phosphorus sulfides are known in addition to P4S3: three isomers of P4S4, two isomers of P4S5, P4S6, P4S7, P4S8, P4S9, and P4S10.[2] P4S2 is also known but is unstable > -30 °C.[3] P4Se3 and P4S3 adopt the same structures.
[edit] Applications
P4S3 is an intermediate in production of P4S10.
A 1:2 mixture, by weight, of P4S3 and potassium chlorate, together with other materials, comprises the heads of "strike-anywhere matches."[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Leung, Y. C.; Waser, J.; van Houten, S.; Vos, A.; Wiegers, G. A.; Wiebenga, E. H. “The crystal structure of P4S3” Acta Crystallographica Volume 10, pages 574-582, year 1957. DOI:10.1107/S0365110X57002042
- ^ Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
- ^ Heal, H. G. “The Inorganic Heterocyclic Chemistry of Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus” Academic Press: London; 1980. ISBN 0-12-33580-6.
- ^ D. E. C. Corbridge "Phosphorus: An Outline of its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology" 5th Edition Elsevier: Amsterdam 1995. ISBN 0-444-89307-5. For a discussion of safety matches, see pages 115-116.
