Carbon disulfide

 

Carbon Disulfide

Chemical formula	CS2
OTP appearance	clear volatile liquid
Index of refraction	1.63
Molar Mass(g/mol)	76.14
Density(g/cc)	1.29
Melting Point(°C)	-111.61
Boiling Point(°C)	46.24
Solubility in water(g/L)	2.17
NFPA 704	4 3 0

Uses

Primary

• Required for the Broughton route to acetic anhydride
• Required for production of viscose rayon
• Basis for production of carbon tetrachloride and other important methane derivatives

Natural occurrence

• Carbon disulfide does occur naturally near fumaroles and marshes.

Hazards

• Flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire.
• Short term exposure: Inhalation tract, eye, skin irritant.
• Long term exposure: CNS depressant, nerve damage, liver damage.
• Carbon disulfide is a solvent for phosphorus, sulfur, bromine, iodine, selenium, fats, resins, rubber, and asphalt.

Production

Synthesis

via sulfur vapor

Solid carbon and sulfur vapor will combine to produce carbon disulfide if the carbon itself is at a high enough temperature (red heat, 850°C) A practical method for accomplishing this is to use a horizontal single-ended tube with sulfur in the bottom and a substantial amount of powdered carbon at the midpoint. Heating the midpoint to red heat while not heating the sulfur end produces hot carbon which will vaporize (by convection or radiation) the sulfur, which requires only 446°C to boil. At this point the carbon will be hot enough to react with the sulfur vapors, producing carbon disulfide which will escape as a stable gas. Sulfur vapor will condense and return to the mixture.

C(s) + S₂(g)

{

→

850°C}

CS₂(g)

via hydrocarbons

In the presence of silicon dioxide gel or aluminum oxide catalysts, methane (and other simple hydrocarbons) can be converted to carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide at conditions ranging from 450°C and 1.5 atmospheres to 750°C and 30 atmospheres.

2 CH₄ + S₈

{Al₂O₃

→

600°C, 1.25atm}

2 CS₂ + 4 H₂S