8436. Selenium Sulfides

Description and references

Prepn from selenious acid and H2S; product may be a mixture of the elements: Gmelins, Selenium (8th ed.) 10 (part B), 159-176 (1949). Prepn by fusion of the elements; solid solns of sulfur (S8), selenium (Se8) and selenium sulfides (SnSe8-n; n = 1-7) formed: Fergusson et al., J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 24, 157 (1962); Hawes, Nature 198, 1267 (1963); Cooper, Culka, J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 27, 755 (1965); 29, 1217 (1967).

Derivative

Se4S4.

Properties

Red tabular crystals from benzene, d 3.20. mp 113° (dec). Sol in CS2. Solubility in benzene (20°): 0.4 g/l.

Derivative

Se2S6.

Properties

Light-orange needles from benzene, d 2.44. mp 121.5°. Sol in CS2. Solubility in benzene (20°): 12 g/l.

Derivative

Selenium disulfide.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7488-56-4
Exsel (Herbert); Selsun (Abbott).
SeS2.

Description and references

Prepn of shampoo: M. M. Baldwin, A. P. Young, Jr., US 2694669 (1954 to Abbott). Toxicity studies: L. M. Cummins, E. T. Kimura, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 20, 89 (1971). Review of use as antidandruff agent: Matson, J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem. 7, 459-466 (1956).

Properties

Insol in water, in 0.01N HCl. LD50 orally in rats: 138 mg/kg (Cummins, Kimura).

Caution

Selenium sulfide (as SeS) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-230. See also Bioassay of Selenium Sulfide (Gavage) for Possible Carcinogenicity (PB82-164955, 1980) 113p.

Therapeutic Category

Disulfide as topical antiseborrheic.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Topically in eczemas and dermatomycoses.

Keywords

Antiseborrheic