Sodium hydrosulfide

Chemical properties

white crystals or powder with a very unpleasant smell

The Uses of Sodium hydrosulfide

the copper ore beneficiation,the sulfurous acid dyeing of manmade fibre,the synthesis of organic intermediates,the preparation of auxiliary agent of sulfur dyes,and waste water treatment; raw material to produce ammonium sulphate and ethanethiol

The Uses of Sodium hydrosulfide

In paper pulping, in dyestuffs processing, in rayon and cellophane desulfurizing, in unhairing hides and as a bleaching reagent Sodium hydrogen sulfide is used in cloth, paper, pulp and dyestuff industries. It acts as a floating agent in copper mining as well as to remove hairs from hides in leather industries. It is also used as an intermediate in synthetic chemistry. It is utilized as a raw material in the production of ammonium sulphate and ethanethiol.

General Description

Sodium hydrosulfide is a colorless to light yellow crystalline solid or fused mass. Sodium hydrosulfide is corrosive to skin and metal. Used in paper pulping, manufacturing dyes, and dehairing hides.

Air & Water Reactions

Soluble in water. The solution slowly evolves hydrogen sulfide gas. Crystals hydrolyze in moist air to sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. Liable to spontaneous heating in moist air.

Reactivity Profile

A chemical base. Reacts with acids to release flammable and toxic gaseous hydrogen sulfide. As long as the solution is kept strongly alkaline, pH > 10, there is very little release of H2S. At pH = 7, the percent concentration of H2S released is close to 80%.

Hazard

Contact with acids causes evolution of toxic gases.

Health Hazard

Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Inhalation of decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Flammable/combustible material. May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Industrial uses

Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) is stable only in solution. When in contact with oxygen (air), it slowly oxidizes. If a solution of NaHS is heated, it is converted into Na₂S and H₂S.
Sodium hydrosulfide can be used as a replacement for Na₂S·9H₂O during sulfidization of oxide minerals. Sodium hydrosulfide in solution has a much lower alkalinity than Na₂S.
Although the performance of NaHS is not the same as for Na2S, it is used because of its cost-effectiveness.

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal and subcutaneous routes. Mutation data reported. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Flammable when exposed to heat or flame. Spontaneous combustion. Reacts violently with Qazonium salts. Readily yields HS. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of SO, and NazO. See also SULFIDES and MERCAPTANS.