8970. Sulfur Chloride

Nomenclature

CAS number: 10025-67-9
Disulfur dichloride; sulfur monochloride; sulfur subchloride.
Cl2S2; mol wt 135.04.
Cl 52.51%, S 47.49%.
S2Cl2.

Description and references

Prepared by passing chlorine into molten sulfur, can be purified by fractional distillation: Fehér in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) pp 371-372. Hydrolysis: H. L. Olin, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 48, 167 (1926).

Properties

Non-flammable, light amber to yellowish red, fuming, oily liquid. Penetrating odor. d15.515.5 1.6885. nD20 1.670. mp 77°. bp760 138°; bp100 72.0°; bp10 19.1°. Dielectric constant 4.9 at 22°. Dipole moment 1.60. Sol in alcohol, benzene, ether, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, oils. Readily dissolves sulfur (up to 67% at room temp). Dec by water yielding sulfur, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfite, thiosulfate. In acid solns pentathionic and other polythionic acids are formed. Corrosive. Keep tightly closed and out of contact with water.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin and mucous membranes; lacrimation; coughing; eye and skin burns; pulmonary edema. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 290.

Use

Intermediate and chlorinating agent in the manuf of organic chemicals, sulfur dyes, insecticides, synthetic rubbers; in cold vulcanization of rubber; as polymerization catalyst for vegetable oils; for hardening soft woods.