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Reactive Group Datasheet

Sulfides, Inorganic

What are reactive groups?

Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that typically react in similar ways because they are similar in their chemical structure. Each substance with a chemical datasheet has been assigned to one or more reactive groups, and CAMEO Chemicals uses the reactive group assignments to make its reactivity predictions. More info about reactivity predictions...

If you can't find a chemical in the database--but you know what reactive group it belongs in--you can add the reactive group to MyChemicals instead in order to see the reactivity predictions.

There are 39 chemical datasheets assigned to this reactive group.

Description

Flammability
The only highly flammable member of this group is hydrogen sulfide. It poses a particular danger because of its relatively wide flammability limits. However, some other inorganic sulfides can heat spontaneously and even ignite if exposed to moisture.
Reactivity
Materials in this group are generally basic, some strongly so, and therefore incompatible with acids. Many of these compounds are reducing agents and therefore react vigorously with oxidizing agents, including inorganic oxoacids, organic peroxides, and epoxides. Simple salts of sulfides (such as sodium, potassium, and ammonium sulfide) react vigorously with acids to release hydrogen sulfide gas.
Toxicity
Many of the members of this group behave as strong bases. Therefore, direct dermal exposure by these materials may cause severe burns. However, some inorganic sulfides are so insoluble (for example, mercury(II) sulfide and cadmium sulfide) that they are not caustic. This property depends upon solubility. Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas that irritates the eyes and mucous membranes at concentrations of around 50 ppm (sensitivity varies considerably from person to person). Most of the symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning are reversible if the victim is quickly exposed to fresh air. The gas causes death at concentrations of around 1,000 ppm.
Other Characteristics
These materials contain anionic sulfur atoms attached to atoms other than carbon or oxygen, especially metals or hydrogen. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the only member of this group that is volatile, and it has a very unpleasant odor. However, the other members do not generally have a scent. Most are solids.
Examples
Ammonium hydrosulfide, sodium hydrosulfide, ammonium sulfide, antimony sulfide, arsenic sulfide, arsenic trisulfide, lead sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, mercuric sulfide, phosphorus heptasulfide, potassium sulfide, selenium disulfide, sodium sulfide.

Reactivity Documentation

Use the links below to find out how this reactive group interacts with any of the reactive groups in the database.

The predicted hazards and gas byproducts for each reactive group pair will be displayed, as well as documentation and references that were used to make the reactivity predictions.

Mix Sulfides, Inorganic with: