POTASSIUM SULFIDE Chemical Properties

Melting point:

912°

Boiling point:

912 °C

Density 

1.74

solubility 

soluble in H2O, ethanol; insoluble in ethyl ether

form 

Powder

color 

white to yellow

Water Solubility 

very soluble H2O, alcohol, glycerol; insoluble ether [MER06]

Crystal Structure

Reverse CaF2 type

Sensitive 

air sensitive, hygroscopic

crystal system

Cube

Space group

Fm3m

Lattice constant

a/nm	b/nm	c/nm	α/o	β/o	γ/o	V/nm3
0.7407	0.7407	0.7407	90	90	90	0.4064

Stability:

Stable, but air-sensitive. Flammable. Contact with acids liberates poisonous hydrogen sulfide. Anhydrous material may be spontaneously combustible.

CAS DataBase Reference

1312-73-8(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Potassium sulfide (K2S) (1312-73-8)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

C,N

Risk Statements 

31-34-50

Safety Statements 

26-45-61

RIDADR 

1382

HazardClass 

4.2

PackingGroup 

II

Hazardous Substances Data

1312-73-8(Hazardous Substances Data)

POTASSIUM SULFIDE Usage And Synthesis

Chemical Properties

colourless solid; turns brownish-red on

Chemical Properties

Potassium sulfide is a brownish-red crystalline solid.

Uses

Potassium Sulfide is reported to be used as a reactant for the efficient synthesis of variously substituted thiophenes through copper-catalyzed tandem S-alkenylation with 1,4-diiodo-1,3-dienes. It is also used as a reactant for the synthesis of KBi6.33S10 and K2Bi8S13 at high temperature.

Uses

Reagent in analytical chemistry, depilatory, medicine.

Production Methods

Potassium sulfide, K2S, yellowish to reddish solid, soluble, formed by heating potassium sulfate and carbon to a high temperature; potassium hydrogen sulfide, potassium bisulfide, potassium acid sulfide KHS, formed in solution by reaction of potassium hydroxide or carbonate solution and excess H2S.

General Description

A red crystalline solid. Denser than water. Contact may severely irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion.

Air & Water Reactions

May spontaneously ignite with exposure to air. Deliquescent. Water soluble

Reactivity Profile

A reducing agent. So readily oxidized as to be pyrophoric in air [Bretherick 1979 p. 120]. POTASSIUM SULFIDE is incompatible with chloroform and nitrogen oxide.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk, may ignite spontaneously, explosive in the form of dust or pow- der.

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways. Substance may be transported in a molten form.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion and inhalation. Emits H2S in contact with acids; steam. A flammable solid. Unstable; may explode on percussion or rapid heating. Ignites on contact with nitrogen oxide. Reacts with H2O to form KOH and KSH. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of K2O and SOx. See also SULFIDES.

Potential Exposure

Potassium sulfide is used as a reagent in analytical chemistry; and in pharmaceutical preparations.

Shipping

UN1382 Potassium sulfide, anhydrous or Potassium sulfide with ＜30% water of crystallization, Hazard Class: 4.2; Labels: 4.2-Spontaneously combustible material.

Incompatibilities

May explosively decompose from shock, friction, or concussion. Dust or granules may spontaneously ignite on contact with air. The aqueous solution is a strong base; reacts violently with strong acids and acid fumes. The solid material decomposes on contact with acids producing hydrogen sulfide, and oxidizers producing sulfur dioxide.

POTASSIUM SULFIDE(1312-73-8)Related Product Information

• potassium phenolate
• Potash Sulfurated
• Potassium ethylxanthate
• Cadmium sulfate
• Chromic sulfate
• Potassium sulfate
• POTASSIUM CYANIDE
• Potassium chloride
• Potassium chlorate
• Potassium superoxide
• Potassium carbonate
• POTASSIUM SULFITE
• Ferrous sulfide
• FERROUS SULFATE
• Potassium clavulanate
• Potassium trimethylsilanolate
• Potassium
• POTASSIUM SULFIDE