Sulfur is a non-metallic element with chemical symbol S and atomic number 16.Pure sulfur is yellow crystal, also called sulfur and sulfur.The elemental sulfur is insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol, and easily soluble in carbon disulfide CStwo。There are many allotropes of sulfur, and the important ones are orthorhombic sulfur, monoclinic sulfur and elastic sulfur[1]。In the sulfur crystal, the chemical formula of sulfur atom formation is SeightA cyclic octaatomic molecule.In nature, it usually exists in the form of elemental sulfur, sulfide and sulfate, and the common valence states include - 2, 0,+4,+6, etc.Sulfur exists in meteorites, volcanoes, hot springs, etc[2]It can be used to manufacture sulfuric acid, sulfate, sulfite, rubber products, paper, matches, fireworks, etc., and also can be used in insect killing, bleaching, rubber vulcanization, and pharmaceutical industries[3]。Sulfur is an essential element for all life, but it almost always exists in the form of organic sulfur compounds or metal sulfides.
Chinese name
sulfur
Foreign name
sulfur
chemical formula
S
molecular weight
thirty-two point zero six
CAS login number
7704-34-9
EINECS login number
231-722-6
Melting point
112.8 ℃
Boiling point
444.6 ℃
Density
2.36 g/cm³
Appearance
Light yellow brittle crystal or powder
Flash point
168 ℃
Application
Agriculture, medicine, rubber, building materials, gunpowder and other fields
Security description
S16; S26
Hazard symbol
F
Hazard description
R11
UN dangerous goods number
2448/1350
Electronic configuration
[Ne]3stwo3pfour
critical temperature
1040 ℃
Solubility
Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol and ether, easily soluble in carbon disulfide
Saturated vapor pressure
0.13 kPa(183.8 ℃)
Relative water density
two
Appearance and character
Light yellow brittle crystal or powder, the elemental sulfur is odorless and tasteless, and its gaseous compounds generally have a special odor
application area
Agriculture, medicine, rubber, building materials, gunpowder, etc
Sulfur has been known and used since ancient times.In the West, the ancient people believed that the smoke and odor formed by sulfur combustion could drive away the devil. The ancient Romans used sulfur dioxide generated by sulfur combustion to clean and disinfect houses or bleach cloth[2]。
In the Sui Dynasty, the ternary system gunpowder of saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal was born.
In 1746, JRoebuck invented the lead chamber method to produce sulfuric acid[4]。
In 1776, French chemist Lavoisier first determined the indivisibility of sulfur and believed that sulfur was an element, so sulfur entered the door of modern chemistry[4]。
physical property
Sulfur is usually light yellow crystal, odorless and tasteless.
Sulfur has many allotropes, all of which are formed by SeightCyclic molecular composition.The most common are orthorhombic sulfur (also called rhombic sulfur, rhombic sulfur, α - sulfur) and monoclinic sulfur (also called β - sulfur).
Orthogonal sulfur is a stable state of sulfur. When heated to about 100 ℃, monoclinic sulfur can be obtained by slow cooling.The conversion temperature of orthorhombic sulfur and monoclinic sulfur is 95.6 ℃.Orthogonal sulfur is the only stable form of sulfur at room temperature.Its pure color is yellow green (sulfur sold on the market has a small amount of cycloheptadione, which makes it more yellow).Orthorhombic sulfur is actually insoluble in water and has poor thermal conductivity. It is a good electrical insulator.
Monocline sulfur is innumerable needle shaped crystals left after sulfur is melted and partially solidified, and surplus liquid is poured out.Monocline sulfur and rhombic sulfur are variants of elemental sulfur at different temperatures.Monocline sulfur only exists stably above 95.6 ℃, and it slowly transforms into rhombic sulfur at room temperature.The melting point of rhombic sulfur is 112.8 ℃, and that of monoclinic sulfur is 119 ℃.They are easily soluble in CStwoMedium.
In addition, there is elastic sulfur.Elastic sulfur is a dark yellow elastic solid, which is less soluble in carbon disulfide than other sulfur allotropes.Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol.If molten sulfur is poured into cold water rapidly, long chain sulfur is fixed to become stretchable elastic sulfur, but it will become monoclinic sulfur after being placed.[2]
Melting point and density of crystalline sulfur
Crystalline sulfur
Melting point (℃)
Density (g/cmthree)
Orthorhombic sulfur
one hundred and twelve point eight
two point zero six
Monoclinic sulfur
one hundred and nineteen
one point nine six
Elastic sulfur
—
two point three six
chemical property
Reaction of sulfur and oxygen
Sulfur can be burned in air and react with oxygen to generate sulfur dioxide (SO ₂) gas.
Reaction of sulfur with halogen
When heated, sulfur can react with all halogen elements.
When sulfur reacts with fluorine, it will burn to produce sulfur fluoride (Ⅵ) hexafluoride.
Liquid sulfur reacts with chlorine to produce disulfide dichloride (S ₂ Cl ₂) with obvious pungent smell.In case of excessive chlorine and the use of catalysts such as FeCl ∨, SnI ₄, a balance mixture can be generated.It contains red sulfur chloride (Ⅱ) (SCl ₂) and disulfide dichloride (S ₂ Cl ₂).
Reaction of sulfur with alkali
Sulfur can react with hot solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to produce potassium sulfide and potassium thiosulfate.
Reaction of sulfur with acid
Sulfur does not react with water and non oxidizing acids.
Sulfur reacts with hot nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid and can be oxidized into sulfuric acid and sulfur dioxide.[2]
Distribution
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In nature, sulfur in the combined state is mostly a mineral, which can be divided into sulfide ore and sulfate ore.The important sulfide ores are pyrite (FeStwo）Chalcopyrite (CuFeStwo）, galena (PbS), sphalerite (ZnS), etc.The sulfur content of most pyrite is about 45%, which is an important chemical raw material ore for manufacturing sulfuric acid. Other metal sulfide ores are the main minerals for producing non-ferrous metals.Lead zinc ore [(Pb/Zn) S] in Shuikoushan, Hunan Province, China, molybdenite (MoS ₂) in Yangjiazhangzi, Liaoning Province, cinnabar (HgS) in southwest and central south China, and chalcocite (CutwoS) And bornite (CufiveFeSfour）Copper bearing pyrite near Lanzhou is an important sulfide mine in China.Common sulfate ores include gypsum (CaSOfour·2HtwoO）、Glauber's salt (Na ₂ SOfour·10HtwoO）、Barite (BaSOfour）, Celestite (SrSOfour）Alumina [(AlO)twoSOfour·9HtwoO]、Alunite [KtwoSOfour·Altwo(SO₄)three·24HtwoO] Etc[5]。
application area
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Industrial use
Sulfur is mainly used to produce sulfur compounds, such as sulfuric acid, sulfite, thiosulfate, thiocyanate, sulfur dioxide, carbon disulfide, sulfur dichloride, phosphorus sulfide and metal sulfide.The sulfur used to produce sulfuric acid in the world accounts for more than 80% of the total annual sulfur consumption.
Sulfur is also widely used in the production of vulcanized rubber.After vulcanization, raw rubber has the advantages of high elasticity, heat resistance, tensile strength and insolubility in organic solvents. The vast majority of rubber products are vulcanized rubber, which is made from raw rubber, sulfur and accelerator under certain temperature and pressure.
Sulfur is also needed for making black powder and matches. Sulfur is also one of the main raw materials for fireworks production. Sulfur can also be used for the production of sulfur dyes and pigments.For example, calcining a mixture of kaolin, pure carbon, sulfur, diatomite or quartz powder can produce a blue pigment ultramarine, and bleaching industry and pharmaceutical industry also need to consume a part of sulfur.
Medical use
Sulfur is one of the ingredients of many ointment for treating skin diseases.For example, the tung oil and sulfur are heated together, sulphonated with sulfuric acid and neutralized with ammonia to obtain the tung grease.It can be used to make 10% ointment, which has the effect of diminishing inflammation and swelling, and can be used to treat various skin inflammation, swelling and pain.[6]
harm
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Environmental hazards
Care should be taken when using carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide.Sulfur dioxide is a dangerous atmospheric pollutant and one of the reasons for acid rain[2]。
Carbon disulfide (CStwo）It is an important industrial solvent.Because carbon disulfide is toxic, it should be operated with great caution.Carbon disulfide can easily enter the human body through the skin or through breathing, which will damage the central nervous system[2]。
Industrial sulfur is a flammable solid.In addition, sulfur dust with a certain concentration in the air will not only explode in case of fire, but also easily generate sparks with static electricity to cause explosion (the lower explosion limit of sulfur dust is 2.3g/mthree）, and then burn to cause fire.According to the classification of solid fire hazard, sulfur belongs to Class B, and sulfur recovery and forming unit belongs to Class B fire hazard[7]。
Health hazards
Sulfur powder will irritate human eyes and eyelids[2]。The inhalation of sulfur dust can also cause coughing, sore throat, etc[7]。Because it can be partially converted into hydrogen sulfide in the intestine and absorbed by the human body, a large amount of ingestion (more than 10g) can lead to hydrogen sulfide poisoning;The systemic toxic effects of acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning are manifested as symptoms of the central nervous system, including headache, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, ataxia, coma, etc.This product can cause eye conjunctivitis and skin eczema.It is weakly irritating to the skin.Generally, long-term inhalation of sulfur dust in production has no obvious toxic effect.
Safety measures
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First aid measures
Skin contact: Take off the contaminated clothes and wash the skin thoroughly with soapy water and clean water.
Eye contact: Lift the eyelid and flush with flowing water or physiological saline.Get medical attention.
Inhalation: quickly leave the site to a place with fresh air.Keep the respiratory tract unobstructed.If breathing is difficult, give transfusion.If breathing stops, perform artificial respiration immediately.Get medical attention.
Ingestion: drink enough warm water to induce vomiting.Get medical attention.
Fire fighting measures
Hazard characteristics: It reacts violently with halogen, metal powder, etc.Sulfur is a poor conductor, which is easy to generate static charges during storage and transportation, which may lead to sulfur dust fire.Dust or vapor is mixed with air or oxidant to form explosive mixture.
Hazardous combustion products: sulfur dioxide.
Extinguishing method: In case of small fire, smother it with sand.In case of fire, fog water can be used to extinguish the fire.Do not spray water directly onto molten materials to avoid serious flowing fire or severe boiling splash.Firefighters must wear gas masks and extinguish at a safe distance and upwind.
Leakage emergency treatment
Isolate the leakage contaminated area and restrict access.Cut off the ignition source.It is recommended that emergency treatment personnel wear dust masks (fully equipped) and general work clothes.Do not touch the leakage directly.Small amount of leakage: avoid flying dust, collect it in a dry, clean and covered container with a clean shovel, and transfer it to a safe place.Large amount of leakage: covered with plastic cloth and canvas.Use non sparking tools to collect and recycle or transport to waste disposal site for disposal.[8]
Toxicological data
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Sulfur is generally non-toxic, but sulfur can kill many bacteria and fungi[2]。
In medical treatment, sulfur can also be used to make sulfur ointment to cure some skin diseases, but sulfur compounds are harmful to the body, and long-term work under high sulfur industries and mines will do great harm to the body[4]。
Physiological function
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Amino acids such as cysteine, methionine, homocysteine and taurine and some common enzymes contain sulfur, so sulfur is an essential element in all cells.In protein, the disulfide bond S-S between polypeptides is an important part of protein structure.Some bacteria use hydrogen sulfide as an electron provider in some processes similar to photosynthesis (plants generally use water to do this).Plants absorb sulfur in the form of sulfate.Inorganic sulfur is a component of ferrithionein.Sulfur is the key element in cytochrome oxidase.[8]
Storage and transportation
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Storage method
Store in a cool, dry and ventilated warehouse or shed.Isolate kindling and keep away from heat sources.The package must be tight to prevent moisture.In case of long-term contact with iron, spontaneous combustion of iron sulfide surface must be prevented, and the storage temperature must be frequently checked at ordinary times[7]。
Transport method
Two layers of plastic bags or one layer of plastic bag outer gunny bags, plastic woven bags, latex cloth bags;Composite plastic woven bag outside the plastic bag (polypropylene three in one bag, polyethylene three in one bag, polypropylene two in one bag, polyethylene two in one bag);Screw mouth glass bottles, iron cap pressure mouth glass bottles, plastic bottles or ordinary wooden boxes outside metal barrels (cans);The corrugated glass bottle, plastic bottle or tinned sheet steel barrel (can) is covered with a full floor lattice box, fiberboard box or plywood box.
The bulk sulfur is transported by railway: loading is limited to the special line or special railway from the port to the consignee;Before loading, the shipper shall pad the vehicle with a mat;Cover with tarpaulin after loading;The shipper needs to send someone to escort.The transport vehicles shall be equipped with corresponding types and quantities of fire-fighting equipment and leakage emergency treatment equipment.The exhaust pipe of the vehicle transporting this product must be equipped with a fire retardant device.During transportation, the container shall not leak, collapse, fall or be damaged.It is strictly prohibited to mix with oxidants and other products.During transportation, it shall be protected from sun exposure, rain and high temperature.Keep away from kindling and heat sources during stopover.Thoroughly clean the vehicle after transportation.It is forbidden to slip during railway transportation.[8]
