Phosphorus pentasulfide

Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory.

OSHA PEL: TWA 1 mg/m³; STEL 3 mg/m³
ACGIH TLV: TWA 1 mg/m³; STEL 3 mg/m³
DFG MAK: 1 mg/m³
DOT Classification:  4.3; Label: Dangerous When Wet

The Phosphorus pentasulfide, with the CAS registry number 1314-80-3, is also known as Pentasulfure de phosphore. It belongs to the product category of Inorganics. Its EINECS registry number is 215-242-4. This chemical's molecular formula is P₄S₁₀ and molecular weight is 444.555. Its systematic name is called tricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]tetraphosphathiane 1,3,5,7-tetrasulfide. What's more, this chemical's classification code is Skin / Eye Irritant.

Physical properties of Phosphorus pentasulfide: (1)#H bond acceptors: 0; (2)#H bond donors: 0; (3)#Freely Rotating Bonds: 0; (4)Polar Surface Area: 319.4 Å²; (5)Index of Refraction: 2.029; (6)Molar Refractivity: 98.95 cm³; (7)Molar Volume: 194.1 cm³; (8)Surface Tension: 175.7 dyne/cm; (9)Density: 2.28 g/cm³.

Preparation of Phosphorus pentasulfide: this chemical is obtained by the reaction of liquid white phosphorus (P₄) with sulfur above 300 °C. The first synthesis of P₄S₁₀ by Berzelius in 1843 was by this method. Alternatively, P₄S₁₀ can be formed by reacting elemental sulfur or pyrite, FeS₂, with ferrophosphorus, impure Fe₂P (a byproduct of P₄ production from phosphate rock):

4 Fe₂P + 18 S → P₄S₁₀ + 8 FeS
4 Fe₂P + 18 FeS₂ + heat → P₄S₁₀ + 26 FeS

Uses of Phosphorus pentasulfide: The compound is mainly converted to other derivatives for use as lubrication additives such zinc dithiophosphates. It is also used in the production of pesticides such as Parathion and Malathion. It is also a component of some amorphous solid electrolytes (e.g. Li₂S-P₂S₅) for some types of lithium batteries. Phosphorus pentasulfide is a dual-use material, as it can be used for manufacture of the VX nerve agent.

When you are using this chemical, please be cautious about it as the following:
This chemical may catch fire in contact with air and only need brief contact with an ignition source which has a very low flash point or evolve highly flammable gases in contact with water. Meanwhile. this chemical may cause damage to health and may present an immediate or delayed danger to one or more components of the environment. On the other hand, it is highly flammable and is harmful by inhalation and if swallowed. Contact with water, it will liberate toxic gas. You should avoid releasing it to the environment.

You can still convert the following datas into molecular structure:
(1)Canonical SMILES: P12(=S)SP3(=S)SP(=S)(S1)SP(=S)(S2)S3
(2)InChI: InChI=1S/P4S10/c5-1-9-2(6)12-3(7,10-1)14-4(8,11-1)13-2
(3)InChIKey: CYQAYERJWZKYML-UHFFFAOYSA-N

The toxicity data is as follows:

Organism	Test Type	Route	Reported Dose (Normalized Dose)	Effect	Source
rabbit	LD50	skin	3160mg/kg (3160mg/kg)	SKIN AND APPENDAGES (SKIN): "DERMATITIS, OTHER: AFTER SYSTEMIC EXPOSURE"	National Technical Information Service. Vol. OTS0571217,
rat	LD50	oral	389mg/kg (389mg/kg)		"Sbornik Vysledku Toxixologickeho Vysetreni Latek A Pripravku," Marhold, J.V., Institut Pro Vychovu Vedoucicn Pracovniku Chemickeho Prumyclu Praha, Czechoslovakia, 1972Vol. -, Pg. 16, 1972.