What is Sodium Sulfide, and What Does it Do?
Sodium sulfide, or Na2S, is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula of Na2S that has risen to prominence in the organic chemical industry. It's a powerful alkaline solution that smells like rotten eggs when exposed to moist air. Despite the fact that the solid-state is yellow, the solution is colourless. It's usually labelled as "sodium sulfide flakes" in the grades.
Sodium sulfide is a salt which plays an essential role in the organic chemistry industry. The formula for sodium sulfide is Na2S, or more commonly its hydrate Na2S·9H2O. Both the anhydrous and the hydrous salts are colourless solids. Sodium sulfide is a water-soluble compound, with a strongly alkaline solution. If the compound is exposed in the moist air, Na2S and its hydrates emit hydrogen sulfide. This emission smells like a rotten egg. The solid-state of sodium sulfide in solution is a yellow colour, and it comes as grades, known as sodium sulfide flakes. The IUPAC name of sodium sulfide is disodium sulfide. The oxidation number of sodium sulfide is -2, whereas its pH value is 10.4.
IUPAC Name – Sodium Sulfide
Sodium Sulfide Structure – Na2S
Na2S adopts the antifluorite structure. This structure is obtained by exchanging the positions of anions and cations. This means that the Na+ occupy sites of the fluoride and S2- hold the sites for Ca2+.
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Sodium Sulfide-Na2S Chemical Information
Sodium Sulfide – Na2S – Physical Properties
Sodium Sulfide – Na2S – Chemical Properties
Sodium sulfide dissolves in water and forms the ions it needs. The following is the reaction.
Na2S + H2O → 2 Na+ + HS– + OH–
When heated, it quickly oxidized to generate sodium carbonate and sulphur dioxide.
2Na2S + 3O2 + 2CO2 → 2Na2CO3 + 2SO2
Polysulfides are formed when it reacts with sulphur.
2Na2S + S8 → 2Na2S5
When sodium sulfide is dissolved in water, it forms its corresponding ions. The reaction of the same is given below:
Na2S + H2O → 2 Na+ + HS- + OH-
Also, sodium sulfide oxidises quickly by heating. The results will be sodium carbonate and sulfur dioxide.
2Na2S + 3O2 + 2CO2 → 2Na2CO3 + 2SO2
When sodium sulfide goes under oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, it gives sodium sulfate as a result.
Na2S + 4 H2O2 → 4 H2O + Na2SO4
If sodium sulfide is reacted with sulfur, it forms a polysulfide, given as below:
2Na2S + S8 → 2Na2S5
How is Sodium Sulfide Produced?
In industries, Na2S is produced by a carbothermic reduction reaction. In this reduction reaction, carbon is used as a reducing agent.
Similarly, for sodium sulfide, sodium sulfate is reacted by coal.
Na2SO4 + 2 C → Na2S + 2 CO2
In laboratories, the sodium sulfide salt is usually prepared by the reduction method. Sodium sulphur is reacted by anhydride ammonia, or through sodium in dry THF, with the help of naphthalene as a catalyst. The result formed will be sodium naphtha lenoide.
2Na + S → Na2S
Sodium Sulfide (Na2S) has a Variety of Applications
It is employed as an oxygen scavenger and a metal precipitant in water treatment.
Used as a bleaching agent in the textile sector to preserve developer solutions from oxidation in the photographic business.
It's used to make elastomeric synthetic materials, sulphur colours, and other things.
In the crafting process, it's mostly used in the pulp and paper sector. It improves the sulphate cooking process' selectivity and speeds up the delignification process.
Uses of Sodium Sulfide
In the paper and pulp business, it's used in the kraft process.
In water treatment, it's used as an oxygen scavenger.
In the textile sector, it is used as a bleaching agent.
Sodium sulfide is mainly used in the pulp and paper industry for the kraft process. As in the kraft process, wood is converted into wood pulp, sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide help to dissolve the lignin of wood fibre.
This compound is used in water treatment. In this method, sodium sulfide acts as an oxygen scavenger agent
For chemical photography, sodium sulfide is used as a metal precipitant for toning black and white photographs
In the textile industry, sodium sulfide is used as a bleaching agent, dechlorinating agent and also desulphurising agent.
In the production of rubber chemicals, sulfur dyes and other chemical compounds are used.
Used in various applications like ore flotation, dye-making, oil recovery and detergent.
Safety Measures:
Used as an unhairing agent in the liming process during leather production.
Because sodium sulfide is a strong alkaline, it causes skin burns.
When sodium sulfides combine with acid quickly, it produces poisonous hydrogen sulfide.
Side Effects of Sodium Sulfide
It's normal for the top layer of skin to peel slightly. Irritation, redness, and scaling of the skin are also possible side effects. Stop taking this medication and inform your doctor or pharmacist right away if any of these effects persist or worsen.
Keep in mind that your doctor ordered this medication because he/ she believes the benefit to you outweighs the risk of adverse effects. The majority of people who take this medicine do not have any substantial adverse effects.
Sodium sulfide is strongly alkaline. It can cause significant skin burns. Reacting with acid can form hydrogen sulfide, which is a highly toxic and flammable gas. In reduced ventilation spaces, hydrogen sulfide accumulates at the bottom. To use hydrogen sulfide, one should keep the safety data sheet with them.
Na2S + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2S(g)
What's the Type of Bonding of Sodium Sulfide?
Sodium sulfide compound is an ionic compound. There are 2 Na atoms per 1 Sulfide atom. It has a central Sulfur atom encircled by 4 Oxygens in covalent bonds. The Sodium atoms and Sulfur or Oxygen atoms in the compound exchange their electrons. Moreover, Sulfur is in group 6, and it requires two more electrons to attain a noble gas state of Argon.
Likewise, the remaining 2 Sodium atoms want to lose 1 electron each to become the noble gas state of Neon. Thus, the 2 Sodium atoms each provide one electron to the Sulfur atom, helping it to be stable in its outer shell.
Since the Sodium atoms give away all its extra electrons to its outermost shell, the two atoms attain the noble gas configuration of Neon and hence become stable.
FAQs on Sodium Sulfide
1. Is Sodium Sulfide soluble in water?
Sodium is a group one element, and as all the group one elements are soluble, even sodium sulfide is soluble in water. Sodium sulfide is slightly soluble in alcohol but insoluble in ethers, although the solubility of sodium sulfide depends on the temperature as it is highly soluble. Another main reason behind the solubility of sodium sulfide in water is, it is an ionic compound that tends to disassociate its ions in water. At 0°C, approximately 12.4g/100 mL is soluble in water. Whereas in 20°C just 18.6g/100mL sodium sulfide is soluble in water. Moreover, for hydrolysis, 50°C is required to make 39g/100mL sodium sulfide soluble.
2. How is industrial Sodium Sulfide different from laboratory Sodium Sulfide?
Industrial sodium sulfide is usually a mixture with different numbers of crystalline water. Therefore, the empirical formula for sodium sulfide is Na2S • nH2O. This sodium sulfide is yellow or reddish brown, flaky and granular. It is mainly used for paper, dye, ore flotation, mineral processing, dyeing and printing. Industrial sodium sulfide is classified into three categories according to the GB / T105002000 standard. Type 1 is the usual sodium sulfide, most commonly known as the red base. Class 2 sodium sulfide is low in iron and is commonly known as the yellow base. Class 3 is a high content sodium sulfide commonly used in the industry.
3. Is the free PDF of Sodium Sulfide - Structure, Properties, Uses and Side effects helpful?
Yes, the free PDF of Sodium Sulfide - Structure, Properties, Uses and Side effects are very helpful. It helps students to know about sodium sulfide, its structures and properties with applications and various side effects. The PDF is in an easy to read and understand format and students can get the gist of the topic easily. The teachers can help you with a thorough knowledge of the same. You can also register for the online coaching classes conducted by Vedantu.
4. Where is Sodium Sulfide used for?
The chemical compound sodium sulfide has the formula Na2S. The pulp and paper industries, water treatment, the textile business, and many chemical industrial processes, such as the creation of rubber compounds, sulphur dyes, and oil recovery, all require sodium sulfide. Sodium Sulfide is a crystalline solid or flake that is white, yellow to red, or pink in colour and has a rotten egg stench when exposed to air. You can learn with the help of free PDF Sodium Sulfide - Structure, Properties, Uses and Side effects.
5. Is sodium sulfide an electrolyte?
The sodium salt version of sulfuric acid is sodium sulphate anhydrous. An electrolyte replenisher, sodium sulphate anhydrous, is used in isosmotic solutions to ensure that delivery does not disrupt normal electrolyte balance or cause water and ion absorption or excretion. Because of the strong electrostatic interactions that exist between the molecules of sulfide and sodium ions, sodium sulfide has a high melting point. Read more with Sodium Sulfide - Structure, Properties, Uses and Side effects.
