User:Milton Beychok/Sandbox
Chemical properties
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Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas (Flammability range: 4.3 % - 46 % volume % in air). Being heavier than air, it tends to accumulate at the bottom of poorly ventilated spaces. Although very pungent at first, it quickly deadens the sense of smell, so potential victims may be unaware of its presence until it is too late. For safe handling procedures, a hydrogen sulfide material safety data sheet (MSDS) should be consulted.[1]
Hydrogen sulfide and oxygen burn with a blue flame to form sulfur dioxide (SO2) and [|water]]. In general, hydrogen sulfide acts as a reducing agent.
At high temperature and in the presence of catalysts, sulfur dioxide can be made to react with hydrogen sulfide to form elemental sulfur and water. This is exploited in the Claus process, the main way to convert hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur.
Hydrogen sulfide is slightly soluble in water and acts as a weak acid, giving the hydrosulfide ion HS− (pKa=6.9 in 0.01-0.1 mol/litre solutions at 18°C) and the sulfide ion S2− (pKa=11.96).
Hydrogen sulfide reacts with metal ions to form metal sulfides, which may be considered the salts of hydrogen sulfide. Some ores are sulfides. Metal sulfides often have a dark color.
If gaseous hydrogen sulfide is put into contact with concentrated nitric acid, it explodes.
Hydrogen sulfide reacts with alcohols to form thiols.
- ↑ Hydrogen Sulfide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Iowa State University, Department of Chemistry