Phosphorus sesquisulfide - Misplaced Pages

Phosphorus sesquisulfide is the inorganic compound with the formula P₄S₃. It was developed by Henri Sevene and Emile David Cahen in 1898 as part of their invention of friction matches that did not pose the health hazards of white phosphorus. This yellow solid is one of two commercially produced phosphorus sulfides. It is a component of "strike anywhere" matches.

Depending on purity, samples can appear yellow-green to grey. The compound was discovered by G. Lemoine and first produced safely in commercial quantities in 1898 by Albright and Wilson. It dissolves in an equal weight of carbon disulfide (CS₂), and in a 1:50 weight ratio of benzene. Unlike some other phosphorus sulfides, P₄S₃ is slow to hydrolyze and has a well-defined melting point.

Structure and synthesis

The molecule has C_3v symmetry. It is a derivative of the tetrahedral (P₄) unit from insertion of sulfur into three P-P bonds. The P-S and P-P distances are 2.090 and 2.235 Å, respectively. P₄Se₃ and P₄S₃ adopt the same structures. These compounds can be melted together and form mixed crystals of one dissolved in the other. Under higher temperatures, mixed chalcogenide molecules P₄S₂Se and P₄SSe₂ will form.

P₄S₃ is produced by the reaction of red or white phosphorus with sulfur. Excess sulfur gives phosphorus pentasulfide (P₄S₁₀). It is estimated that 150 ton/y were produced in 1989.

Applications

P₄S₃ and potassium chlorate, together with other materials, composes the heads of "strike-anywhere matches".

Safety

Its flash point is about 100 °C.

Health effects

Exposure to "strike anywhere" matches containing phosphorus sesquisulfide can cause contact dermatitis, usually in the pocket area but also on the face. Exposure over a long period of time to burning match tips (containing phosphorus sesquisulfide) can result in a recurring severe primary dermatitis about the eyes and face. Loosening of the teeth has also been reported which may have been due to phosphorus poisoning.

References

^ Leung, Y. C.; Waser, J.; van Houten, S.; Vos, A.; Wiegers, G. A.; Wiebenga, E. H. (1957). "The Crystal Structure of P₄S₃". Acta Crystallographica. 10 (9): 574–582. doi:10.1107/S0365110X57002042.
US patent 614350, Seyene, H.; Cahen, E. D., "Match Composition", issued 1898-11-15
US 614350
Burns, Gary R.; Sarfati, Jonathan D. (1988). "Raman spectra of tetraphosphorus triselenide doped in tetraphosphorus trisulphide". Solid State Communications. 66 (4): 347–349. Bibcode:1988SSCom..66..347B. doi:10.1016/0038-1098(88)90854-X.
Burns, Gary R.; Rollo, Joanne R.; Sarfati, Jonathan D. (1989). "Raman spectra of the tetraphosphorus trichalcogenide cage molecules P₄S₂Se and P₄SSe₂". Inorganica Chimica Acta. 161: 35–38. doi:10.1016/S0020-1693(00)90111-7.
Bettermann, G.; Krause, W.; Riess, G.; Hofmann, T. "Phosphorus Compounds, Inorganic". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a19_527. ISBN 978-3527306732.
Corbridge, D. E. C. (1995). Phosphorus: An Outline of its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology (5th ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 115–116. ISBN 0-444-89307-5.
Lewis, R.J. Sr (2007). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary (15th ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p. 987.
Burgess, J. F.; Forsey, R. Roy (1951). "Contact Dermatitis of the Face Due to Matches". AMA Arch Dermatol Syphilol. 64 (5). American Medical Association: 636–637. doi:10.1001/archderm.1951.01570110106016.
Burgess, J. Frederick (December 1951). "Phosphorus Sesquisulphide Poisoning". Can Med Assoc J. 65 (6). Canadian Medical Association: 567–568. PMC 1822299. PMID 14886853.

This article contains public domain text from the NOAA as cited.

v t e Phosphorus compounds
Phosphides	AlP AsP BP BiP Cs₂P₅ Ca₃P₂ Cd₃P₂ Cu₃P DyP ErP EuP GdP AuP FeP Fe₃P HfP HoP InP LaP Li₃P LuP MoP MoP₂ Mo₃P NbP NdP NpP Np₃P₄ OsP₂ Ru₂P PtP₂ PrP PrP₅ PuP ScP SmP SmP₅ Sr₃P₂ TbP SnP₃ ThP₇ TmP YP YbP ZnP₂ Zn₃P₂ ZrP ZrP₂
Other compounds	PBr₃ PBr₅ PBr₇ PCl₃ PCl₅ P₂Cl₄ PF₃ PF₅ PI₃ PH₃ PN P₃N₅ PO P₂O₃ P₂O₄ P₂O₅ P₄S₃ P₄S_x P₄S₁₀

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