1707. Calcium Sulfide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 20548-54-3
CaS; mol wt 72.14.
Ca 55.56%, S 44.45%.

Description and references

Pure CaS prepd in the laboratory by heating pure CaCO3 in a stream of H2S + H2 at 1000°: Ehrlich in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) p 938. Crude calcium sulfide, erroneously called sulfurated lime, calcic liver of sulfur, liver of lime, hepar calcis, made by igniting calcium sulfate with carbonaceous matter. Contains not less than 55% CaS; the balance is calcium sulfate, sulfite and carbonate, and the “ash” from the carbonaceous material. See Mellor's vol III, p 740 (1928). Luminous calcium sulfide or Canton's phosphorus made by igniting a mixture of CaCO3 and S with very small quantities of Bi or Mn salts, etc.: Verneuil, Compt. Rend. 103, 600 (1886); Mellor's, loc. cit.

Properties

White powder if pure; crude and luminous calcium sulfide may be yellowish to pale-gray. Odor of H2S in moist air; unpleasant alkaline taste. Oxidizes in dry air and dec in moist air. mp >2000°. d 2.59. Slightly sol in cold, more sol in hot water with partial decompn; freely sol in solns of ammonium salts; practically insol in alcohol; dec even by weak acids, evolving H2S. Keep well closed.

Use

In phosphors; as lubricant additive. Pure CaS used in electron emitters. Luminous CaS used for making luminous paints or varnishes.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Has been used in chronic suppurative lesions.