Chemical Fact Sheet
Sulfur
| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) | 7704-34-9 |
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| Synonyms | ASULFA-SUPRA; ATOMIC-SULFUR; BENSULFOID; BRIMSTONE; COLLOIDAL-SULFUR; COLLOIDALS; COLLOKIT; COLSUL; COROSUL-D-AND-S; COSAN; COSAN-80; CRYSTEX; ELOSAL; FLOUR-SULPHUR; GROUND-VOCLE-SULPHUR; HEXASUL; KOLO-100; KOLOFOG; KOLOSPRAY; KUMULUS; MAGNETIC-70,-90,-AND-95; MICOWETSULF; MICROFLOTOX; MICROTHIOL; NETZSCHWEFEL; POLSULKOL-EXTRA; PRECIPITATED-SULFUR; RC-SCHWEFEL EXTRA; SHREESUL; SOFRIL; SPERLOX-S; SPERSUL; SUBLIMED-SULFUR; SUBLIMED-SULPHUR; SUFRAN; SUFRAN-D; SULFEX; SULFIDAL; SULFORON; SULFUR-ATOM; SULFUR-OINTMENT; SULFUR,-PHARMACEUTICAL; SULIKOL; SULKOL; SULTAF; SUPER-COSAN; SVOVL; THIOVIT; ULTRA-SULFUR; WETTASUL; Thiolux; Magnetic-6; Thion; Zolvis; Sulfospor; Super-Six; Solfa; Aquilite; Suffa; Caswell-No-812; EPA-Pesticide-Chemical-Code-077501 |
| Analytical Methods | SM4500S2 - SM4500SO3 - SM4500SO4 |
| Molecular Formula | S |
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Synopsis
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Sulfur - (Sanskrit, sulvere; L. sulphurium), S; at. wt. 32.066(6); at. no. 16; m.p. 115.21 deg C; b.p. 444.60 deg C; sp. gr. (rhombic) 2.07, (monoclinic) 1.957 (20 deg C); valence 2, 4, or 6. Known to the ancients; referred to in Genesis as brimstone. Sulfur is found in meteorites. A dark area near the crater Aristarchus on the moon has been studied by R. W. Wood with ultraviolet light. This study suggests strongly that it is a sulfur deposit. Sulfur occurs native in the vicinity of volcanoes and hot springs. It is widely distributed in nature as iron pyrites, galena, sphalerite, cinnabar, stibnite, gypsum, Epsom salts, celestite, barite, etc. Sulfur is commercially recovered from wells sunk into the salt domes along the Gulf Coast of the U.S. It is obtained from these wells by the Frasch process, which forces heated water into the wells to melt the sulfur, which is then brought to the surface. Sulfur also occurs in natural gas and petroleum crudes and must be removed from these products. Formerly this was done chemically, which wasted the sulfur. New processes now permit recovery, and these sources promise to be very important. Large amounts of sulfur are being recovered from Alberta gas fields. Sulfur is a pale yellow, odorless, brittle solid, which is insoluble in water but soluble in carbon disulfide. In every state, whether gas, liquid or solid, elemental sulfur occurs in more than one allotropic form or modification; these present a confusing multitude of forms whose relations are not yet fully understood. Amorphous or "plastic" sulfur is obtained by fast cooling of the crystalline form. X-ray studies indicate that amorphous sulfur may have a helical structure with eight atoms per spiral. Crystalline sulfur seems to be made of rings, each containing eight sulfur atoms, which fit together to give a normal X-ray pattern. Seventeen isotopes of sulfur are now recognized. Four occur in natural sulfur, none of which is radioactive. A finely divided form of sulfur, known as flowers of sulfur is obtained by sublimation. Sulfur readily forms sulfides with many elements. Sulfur is a component of black gunpowder, and is used in the vulcanization of natural rubber and a fungicide. It is also used extensively is making phosphatic fertilizers. A tremendous tonnage is used to produce sulfuric acid, the most important manufactured chemical. It is used in making sulfite paper and other papers, as a fumigant, and in the bleaching of dried fruits. The element is a good electrical insulator. Organic compounds containing sulfur are very important. Calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, carbon disulfide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide are but a few of the many other important compounds of sulfur. Sulfur is essential to life. It is a minor constituent of fats, body fluids, and skeletal minerals. Carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide should be handled carefully. Hydrogen sulfide in small concentrations can be metabolized, but in higher concentrations it quickly can cause death by respiratory paralysis. It is insidious in that it quickly deadens the sense of smell. Sulfur dioxide is a dangerous component in atmospheric air pollution. In 1975, University of Pennsylvania scientists reported synthesis of polymeric sulfur nitride, which has the properties of a metal, although it contains no metal atoms. The material has unusual optical and electrical properties. High-purity sulfur is commercially available in purities of 99.999+%, at a cost of about $50/100 g. |
| Use | MANUFACTURE SULFITES, PLASTICS, ENAMELS, METAL-GLASS CEMENTS; IN VULCANIZING RUBBER; IN SYNTH OF DYES; IN MAKING GUNPOWDER, MATCHES; FOR BLEACHING WOOD PULP, STRAW, WOOL, SILK, FELT, LINEN. IN MAKING PHOSPHATIC FERTILIZERS; BLEACHING OF DRIED FRUITS; ELEMENT IS GOOD ELECTRICAL INSULATOR. Fungicide & acaricide. IN ELECTRON MELTING & INCENDIARY-BOMB MANUFACTURE. EXPLOSIVES; RODENT REPELLENTS; COATING FOR CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILIZERS; NUCLEATING AGENT FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM; CEMENT SEALANT; BINDER & ASPHALT EXTENDER IN ROAD PAVING (UP TO 40%). MEDICATION: PRECIPITATED & SUBLIMED SULFUR AS SCABICIDES. MEDICATION (VET). Used in cosmetics, such as acne ointments and lotions, and in antidandruff shampoos; as an antidote for acute radioactive exposure. CHEM INTERMED FOR SULFUR DIOXIDE, PHOSPHORUS PENTASULFIDE. As soil conditioner. Sulfur is used in the production of sulfuric acid, carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide. It is also used in the wood pulping industry for the vulcanization of rubber, in soil nutrients and asphalt extension. VARIOUS FORMS OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR HAVE HAD WIDE USE AS INSECTICIDES & FUNGICIDES. ITS SULFUR ADDN TO UREA OR NON PROTEIN NITROGEN FEED ADDITIVES GIVEN CATTLE IMPROVES FEED EFFICIENCY & DAILY GAINS. OFTEN INCORPORATED IN ALTERATIVE TONICS FOR HORSES, PRIMARILY AS MILD LAXATIVE WOOL GROWTH & QUALITY (NON-SHRINK) MAY BE IMPROVED BY ITS DIETARY ADDN. DAILY USE IN RATION OF FEEDLOT LAMBS DECR INCIDENCE OF COCCIDIOSIS & LOWERS BOTH INCIDENCE & MORTALITY RATE FROM ENTEROTOXEMIA EXCELLENT COCCIDIOSTAT IN POULTRY SULFUR AIDS IN FORMATION OF WOUND KERATIN. EFFECTIVE FOR CONTROL OF VARIETY OF PLANT DISEASES, BROWN ROT OF PEACHES, APPLE SCAB, PEANUT LEAFSPOT, MILDEW ON ROSES, POWDERY MILDEW ON ORNAMENTALS, GRAPES, PEACHES, AND OTHER CROPS; RUSTS, FLEAHOPPERS, & CONTROLS MITES ON TOMATOES, CARROTS, ALFALFA, MELONS, AND BEANS. For relief of itching and scalp flaking associated with dandruff, 2-5% sulfur alone or, most often, in combination with salicylic acid, usually is used as a lotion shampoo. According to a recent US Patent, daily ingestion of 2 g sulfur is said to be effective as insect repellant in heavily infested tropical areas. |
| Consumption Patterns | CHEM INTERMED FOR SULFURIC ACID, 89%; WOOD PULPING, 2%; CHEM INTERMED FOR CARBON DISULFIDE, 1.3%; RUBBER VULCANIZATION, 0.7%; CHEM INTERMED FOR SULFUR DIOXIDE, 0.7%; CHEM INTERMED FOR PHOSPHORUS PENTASULFIDE, 0.5%; OTHER, 5.8% About 87% of sulfur was converted to sulfuric acid prior to end use. (1986) End use: Agricultural chemicals, 66%; chemicals, organic & inorganic, 10%; petroleum refining, 8%; metal mining, 2%; and other, 14% (1986) About 90% of the sulfur was converted to sulfuric acid prior to end use. (1988) Agricultural chemicals (fertilizers) accounted for 74% of sulfur demand. Chemicals, organic and inorganic, accounted for 10%; petroleum refining, 8%; and metal mining, 2%. Other uses, 6%, were widespread because most products produced by industry require sulfur in one form or another during some stage of their manufacture. (1988) Two-thirds of the world sulfur production is consumed in the mfr of fertilizer. CHEMICAL PROFILE: Sulfur. Sulfuric acid, 80%; exports, 12%; miscellaneous agricultural chemicals, petroleum refining and products, and other, 8%. CHEMICAL PROFILE: Sulfur. Demand: 1987: 11.4 million long tons; 1988: 12.4 million long tons; 1992 /projected/: 12.3 million long tons (includes exports, as well as imports, which totaled 1.6 million long tons last year). |
| Apparent Color | ORTHORHOMBIC, CYCLOOCTA OR ALPHA-SULFUR, AMBER COLORED CRYSTALS; MONOCLINIC, CYCLOOCTA OR BETA-SULFUR, LIGHT-YELLOW, OPAQUE, BRITTLE, NEEDLE-LIKE CRYSTALS; SUBLIMED & WASHED SULFUR ARE IN FORM OF FINE, YELLOW CRYSTALLINE POWDER; PRECIPITATED SULFUR IS IN FORM OF VERY FINE, PALE YELLOW, AMORPHOUS OR MICROCRYSTALLINE POWDER |
| Odor | Pure sulfur is odorless, but traces of hydrocarbon impurity may impart an oily and/or rotten egg odor; +FAINT ODOR |
| Boiling Point | 444.6 deg C |
| Melting Point | 112.8 to 120 deg C |
| Molecular Weight | 32.06 |
| Density | 112.400 lb/cu ft at 255 deg F |
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Sensitivity Data |
MAY CAUSE IRRITATION OF SKIN, MUCOUS MEMBRANES. May cause irritation to eye & resp tract. If spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, may cause smarting and reddening of the skin. |
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Chemical and Physical Properties |
MP: 106.8 DEG C /GAMMA/ ATOMIC NUMBER 16; VALENCES 2, 4, 6 MOL WT APPROX 200,000; INSOL IN SOLVENTS USED FOR ORTHORHOMBIC FORM; AMORPHOUS FORM; METASTABLE, GRADUALLY REVERTS TO ALPHA-FORM /POLYMERIC/ INCOMPLETELY SOL IN CARBON DISULFIDE /SUBLIMED & WASHED/ DENSITY: 2.06; STABLE @ ORDINARY TEMP; WHEN HEATED TO 94.5 DEG C BECOMES OPAQUE OWING TO FORMATION OF MONOCLINIC SULFUR /ALPHA/ Liquid-water interfacial tension: (est) 50 dynes/cm= 0.05 N/m at 127 deg C; ratio of specific heats of vapor (gas): 1.582 (est); heat of fusion: 9.2 cal/g MP: 115.21 DEG C; BP: ABOUT 444.6 DEG C; DENSITY: 1.96; STABLE BETWEEN 94.5-120 DEG C; PASSES SLOWLY INTO RHOMBIC FORM ON STANDING /BETA/ COMBINES READILY WITH HYDROGEN; COMBINES IN COLD WITH FLUORINE, CHLORINE & BROMINE; COMBINES WITH CARBON @ HIGH TEMP; REACTS WITH SILICON, PHOSPHORUS, ARSENIC, ANTIMONY & BISMUTH AT THEIR MELTING POINTS; COMBINES WITH NEARLY ALL METALS; WITH LITHIUM, SODIUM, POTASSIUM, COPPER, MERCURY & SILVER IN THE COLD ON CONTACT WITH THE SOLID; WITH MAGNESIUM, ZINC AND CADMIUM VERY SLIGHTLY IN THE COLD, MORE READILY ON HEAING; WITH OTHER METALS AT HIGH TEMPERATURES. DOES NOT REACT WITH IODINE, NITROGEN, TELLURIUM, GOLD, PLATINUM AND IRIDIUM. FOUR NATURALLY OCCURRING ISOTOPES: 32 (95.0%); 33 (0.76%); 34 (4.22%); 36 (0.014%); ARTIFICIAL, RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES: 29-31; 35; 37; 38 EXISTS IN SEVERAL ALLOTROPIC MODIFICATIONS; AT STANDARD TEMP & PRESSURE ONLY ORTHORHOMBIC, CYCLOOCTASULFUR (S-ALPHA) IS THERMODYNAMICALLY STABLE. At room temp the thermodynamic stable sulfur modification is orthorhombic sulfur that converts at 94 deg C to monoclinic sulfur. The latter melts at 124-128 deg C forming a mixture of liquid allotropes that includes cyclooctasulfur, cyclododecasulfur, as well as chain species. Sol in light petroleum and turpentine oil, and in hot aq soln of alkali hydroxides forming polysulfides and thiosulfates; Solubility: 1 in 60 chloroform, 1 in 600 ether /Precipitated sulfur/ Very slightly sol in water and alc; incompletely sol in carbon disulfide; sol in chloroform, ether, light petroleum, toluene, and fixed and volatile oils. /Sublimed sulfur/ Liquid heat capacity= 0.230 BTU/lb deg F @ 260 deg F Ideal gas heat capacity= 0.021 BTU/lb deg F @ 90 deg F |
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Environmental Impact |
SULFUR IS WIDELY USED & THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPERATIONS, SUCH AS SHOVELING, GRINDING, SCREENING, & BAGGING, WHERE SULFUR DUST IN CONSIDERABLE AMT IS FOUND IN THE ATMOSPHERE. The greatest sulfur hazard is encountered in the traditional extraction of sulfur bearing rock, since the inhalation of the high concentrations of sulfur dust encountered in sulfur mines may have harmful effects on the respiratory system. Sulfur reaches local water courses, in limited amounts by dusting of solid sulfur (state form) during transportation and handling at ports; runnoff from storage areas; and accidental spills. |
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Environmental Fate |
Sulfur accounts for 15% of the inner core of the earth and 0.052% of its crust. The total sulfur content of the earth is estimated to be about 18.2X10+15 tons. [R5, 6407] NATIVE IN TEXAS; LOUISIANA; SICILY; CANADA (ALBERTA); POLAND; SAUDI ARABIA; MEXICO; IRAQ; OFFSHORE DEPOSITS IN GULF OF MEXICO; USSR; JAPAN HAS BEEN KNOWN FROM VERY EARLY TIMES. OCCURS BOTH IN FREE STATE, & IN COMBINATION, MAINLY AS SULFIDES & SULFATES. Sulfur minerals include gypsum, epsomite, miralulite, pyrite and marcasite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, cobaltitle, pyrrhalite, galena, arsenopyrite, and pentlandite. Elemental sulfur occurs in salt domes, volcanic deposits and some deposits of calcite, gypsum, and anhydrite. Elemental sulfur may be produced through the utilization of hydrogen sulfide in water by the bacteriological attack of a number of species of thiobacilli. Waste from kraft mills, sugar refining, petroleum refining, and copper and iron extraction all contain appreciable amt of sulfur. Considerable quantities of sulfur are recovered from sources other than sour natural gas, such as from smelter gases, other metallurgical processes, and petroleum refining. When spilled onto soil, molten sulfur will solidify prior to any significant movement into the soil. In solid form, sulfur is insoluble and thus cannot be tansported downward to the ground water table. Traces of hydrogen sulfide represent the only aqueous phase contaminant likely to be detected. When spilled onto soil, molten sulfur will solidify prior to any significant movement into the soil. In solid form, sulfur is insoluble and thus cannot be tansported downward to the ground water table. Traces of hydrogen sulfide represent the only aqueous phase contaminant likely to be detected. |
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Disposal |
Dump into a landfill site. Recommendable method: Landfill. Not recommendable method: Thermal destruction. Peer review: Caution: sulfur could be a fire hazard and may cause bacterial degradation, landfill is recommendable for small amt only. (Peer-review conclusions of an IRPTC expert consultation (May 1985)). |
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