Selenium disulfide
IUPAC name	Selenium disulfide
Other names	Selenium(IV) sulfide
Identifiers
CAS number	7488-56-4 Y
PubChem	24087
MeSH	Selenium+sulfide
RTECS number	VS8925000
ATC code	D01AE13
Properties
Molecular formula	SeS2
Molar mass	143.09 g/mol
Appearance	orange
Melting point	-249.5 °C, 24 K, -417 °F
Boiling point	-112 °C, 161 K, -170 °F
Solubility in water	insoluble
Hazards
EU Index	034-002-00-8
EU classification	Toxic (T) Dangerous for the environment (N)
R-phrases	R23/25, R33, R50/53
S-phrases	(S1/2), S20/21, S28, S45, S60, S61
NFPA 704	0 2 0
Related compounds
Other anions	Selenium dioxide
Other cations	Tellurium disulfide
Related compounds	Selenium monosulfide
Y (what is this?)  (verify) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Selenium disulfide, also known as selenium(IV) sulfide or simply selenium sulfide, is an inorganic compound with the approximate formula SeS₂. Both sulfur and selenium catenate (form chains and rings) readily, and mixtures of selenium and sulfur likewise give rise to numerous "alloys".^[1] This compound is not an analogue of sulfur dioxide.

Contents 1 Medicinal selenium disulfide 2 Chemical composition 3 Other selenium sulfides 4 See also 5 References

[edit] Medicinal selenium disulfide

The material commercially called selenium disulfide is sold as an antifungal agent in shampoos for the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis associated in the scalp with Malassezia genus fungi.^[2][3][4] In the United States, a 1% strength is available over-the-counter, and a 2.5% strength is also available with a prescription. At the 2.5% strength, selenium disulfide is also used on the body to treat tinea versicolor, a type of fungal skin infection caused by a different species of Malassezia.

[edit] Chemical composition

Selenium disulfide has a composition that approximates to SeS₂ and is sometimes called selenium sulfide. However as used in proprietary formulations it is not a pure chemical compound but is a mixture where the overall Se:S ratio is 1:2. The compounds are cyclic Se–S rings containing a variable number of S and Se atoms, Se_nS_8−n.^[1] Selenium disulfide can cause discoloration of the hair and alter the color of hair dyes. It may also discolor metallic jewellery.

[edit] Other selenium sulfides

Many selenium sulfides are known. A useful means for characterization is ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy. Chalcogen ring interconversion pathways.^[5] Selenium monosulfide (SeS) is the only selenium compound so far identified as a carcinogen in animals.^[6] Selenium monosulfide, along with elemental selenium and sulfur has been used in medicinal preparations in the past^[7], causing confusion and contradiction^[8] as to exactly what form selenium is in, in any given topical preparation.^[9]

[edit] See also

• Zinc pyrithione, an antimicrobial agent used in some medicated shampoos.
• Selsun Blue, a shampoo with selenium disulfide as its active ingredient.

[edit] References

v • d • e   Selenium compounds SeCl4 · SeF4 · SeF6 · SeO2 · SeO3 · SeOBr2 · SeOCl2 · SeS2 · Se2S6

v • d • e Antifungals (D01 and J02) Wall/ membrane Ergosterol inhibitors Azoles (lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase inhibitors) Imidazoles topical: Bifonazole, Clomidazole, Clotrimazole#, Croconazole, Econazole, Fenticonazole, Ketoconazole, Isoconazole, Miconazole#, Neticonazole, Oxiconazole, Sertaconazole, Sulconazole, Tioconazole Triazoles topical: (Fluconazole#, Fosfluconazole) systemic: (Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Posaconazole, Voriconazole) Benzimidazoles topical: Thiabendazole Polyene antimycotics (ergosterol binding) topical: (Natamycin, Nystatin#) systemic: (Amphotericin B#) Allylamines (squalene monooxygenase inhibitors) topical: (Amorolfine, Butenafine, Naftifine, Terbinafine) systemic: (Terbinafine) β-glucan synthase inhibitors echinocandins (Anidulafungin, Caspofungin, Micafungin) Intracellular Pyrimidine analogues/ Thymidylate synthase inhibitors Flucytosine# Mitotic inhibitors Griseofulvin# Others Bromochlorosalicylanilide · Methylrosaniline · Tribromometacresol · Undecylenic acid · Polynoxylin · Chlorophetanol · Chlorphenesin · Ticlatone · Sulbentine · Ethyl hydroxybenzoate · Haloprogin · Salicylic acid · Selenium sulfide# · Ciclopirox · Amorolfine · Dimazole · Tolnaftate · Tolciclate · Sodium thiosulfate# · Whitfield's ointment# · Potassium iodide# Tea tree oil • citronella oil • lemon grass • orange oil • patchouli • lemon myrtle PCP: Pentamidine • Dapsone • Atovaquone #WHO-EM. ‡Withdrawn from market. CLINICAL TRIALS: †Phase III. §Never to phase III see also diseases