T4 SULPHUR Flashcards
Where is elemental S found naturally?
Volcanic zones in Indonesia, Chile, and Japan. Also, in deposits in Mexico and the USA formed by anaerobic bacteria action on sulfates.
What are the traditional methods of obtaining sulfur?
Sicilian process and Frasch process.
Describe the Sicilian process.
Melting the native sulfur and separating it from solid impurities.
Explain the Frasch process.
Injecting superheated water to melt sulfur, then injecting hot pressurized air. It’s polluting and mostly discontinued.
How is sulfur primarily obtained nowadays?
As a byproduct of oil and natural gas refining in the petrochemical industry, using the Claus process.
What are the allotropic forms of sulfur?
S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S18, S20, and plastic sulfur (S∞).
What are the steps of the Claus process?
Partial oxidation of H2S to SO2, then comproportionation reaction between excess H2S and SO2.
Describe the structure of cyclic allotropes of sulfur.
Rings with non-planar geometry and S–S bonds.
Which allotropes of sulfur are most stable?
S6 (chair), S8 (crown), and S12.
What is notable about the crystalline packing of S8 polymorphs?
They have different densities due to different crystal packing.
How many polymorphic forms does S8 have?
Two: a rhombic form (a) and a monoclinic form (b).
Which form of S8 is the most stable?
The rhombic form (a), found in nature as yellow crystals.
What happens to sulfur at 367 K?
Rhombic form transforms reversibly to the monoclinic form.
How does sulfur behave when heated quickly?
It melts at 385 K and crystallizes into the monoclinic form if cooled to 373 K.
What distinguishes sulfur from oxygen in terms of chemical properties?
Larger size and lower electronegativity of sulfur compared to oxygen.
How does polymorphism affect the properties of sulfur?
Crystal packing affects properties such as color, viscosity, and phase transitions.
How does the larger size of sulfur affect its chemistry?
Allows for higher coordination numbers and the existence of higher oxidation states.
What is catenation in the chemistry of sulfur?
Tendency to form chains due to the weakness of S=S bonds.
What are some common reactions of sulfur?
Direct combination with halogens, reaction with metals to form sulfides, and dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons.
What is the reactivity of sulfur?
Moderate.
How does S8 react in air?
Burns with a blue flame, producing SO2.
Which halogens does S8 react with directly?
F2, Cl2, Br2.
Does S8 react directly with I2?
no
What happens to saturated hydrocarbons when heated with sulfur?
They undergo dehydrogenation.
Which oxidation states can sulfur access?
All even states from -2 to +6, and some intermediate ones.
Describe the behavior of sulfur in the +6 oxidation state.
Forms weakly oxidizing H2SO4 in acidic conditions.
What happens to sulfate in basic solutions?
It exhibits poor oxidation power.
Explain the behavior of sulfur in the +5 oxidation state.
Undergoes dismutation at pH = 0 and remains stable in water.
In what conditions is thiosulfate stable?
Neutral or alkaline conditions.
What are the most important sulfur oxides?
SO2 and SO3.
What is the structure of the SO2 molecule?
Angular with two equivalent bonds of order 3/2.
Describe SO2.
Colorless, dense, and toxic gas.
What is the main use of SO2?
Synthesis of H2SO4.
Explain the preparation of SO2.
By combustion of sulfur or roasting metal sulfides.
What is the industrial synthesis method of SO3?
Oxidation of SO2 using V2O5 as a catalyst.