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Potassium sulfide
IUPAC name	Potassium sulfide
Other names	Dipotassium monosulfide,; Dipotassium sulfide,; Potassium monosulfide
Identifiers
CAS number	1312-73-8
RTECS number	TT6000000
Properties
Molecular formula	K2S
Molar mass	110.262 g/mol
Appearance	pure: colourless; impure: yellow-brown
Density	1.8 g/cm3
Melting point	840 °C
Boiling point	decomposes
Solubility in water	converts to KSH, KOH
Solubility in other solvents	soluble in ethanol and glycerol
Structure
Crystal structure	antiFluorite
Hazards
R-phrases	31-34
S-phrases	26-45
Related compounds
Related compounds	Na2S
	Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
	Infobox references

Potassium sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula K₂S. It is an inorganic polymer with the "antifluorite structure," which means that the small K⁺ ions occupy the tetrahedral (F⁻) sites in fluorite, and the larger S²⁻ centers occupy the eight-coordinate (Ca²⁺) sites. Li₂S, Na₂S, and Rb₂S crystallize similarly.^[1]

This salt contains the highly basic anion S²⁻, which completely hydrolyzes in water according to the following equation:

K₂S + H₂O → KOH + KSH

For many purposes, this reaction is inconsequential since the mixture of SH⁻ and OH⁻ behaves as a source of S²⁻. Other alkali metal sulfides behave similarly.^[1]

K₂S arises from the reaction of potassium and sulfur. In the laboratory, this synthesis is usually conducted in a solution of anhydrous ammonia.

[edit] Use in fireworks

Potassium sulfides are formed when black powder is burned, and are important intermediates in many pyrotechnic effects, such as senko hanabi and some glitter formulations. The compound is not added directly to the fireworks but rather forms during their combustion.^[2]

[edit] See also

Liver of sulfur

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
^ Shimizu, Takeo. "Fireworks: the Art, Science, and Technique." Pyrotechnica Publications: Austin, 1981. ISBN 0-929388-05-4.

[Holleman-0] Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.

[Shimizu-1] Shimizu, Takeo. "Fireworks: the Art, Science, and Technique." Pyrotechnica Publications: Austin, 1981. ISBN 0-929388-05-4.

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