Product Introduction of Sulfur Dichloride

Sulfur dichloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula SCl₂. It is a reddish-brown liquid at room temperature and pressure, emitting a pungent chlorine-like odor. Below is a detailed introduction to sulfur dichloride:

I. Physical Properties

• Appearance: Reddish-brown liquid.
• Density: 1.355 g/cm³ (or 1.621 g/cm³, with slight variations among different sources).
• Melting Point: -78°C (or -122°C, with slight variations among different sources).
• Boiling Point: 60°C (decomposes).
• Solubility: Soluble in organic solvents such as hexane, carbon tetrachloride, and benzene. Reacts violently with water.

II. Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Sulfur dichloride fumes in air and is highly corrosive and irritating. It reacts violently with water to form H₂S₂O₃, H₂SnO₆, and H₂SO₄. When dissolved in concentrated hydrochloric acid, it forms a stable complex acid, H₄SCl₆, and releases a large amount of heat.
• Stability: It partially decomposes when heated above 40°C. It decomposes in the presence of moisture, releasing sulfur and forming polysulfuric acid and sulfuric acid.
• Hazards: Sulfur dichloride is non-flammable but highly corrosive and irritating, capable of causing burns to the human body. It reacts with water or moisture to decompose into sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride gas. At high temperatures, it may undergo violent decomposition, leading to container rupture or explosion accidents.

III. Production Methods

• Chlorination of Disulfur Dichloride: Disulfur dichloride is added to a jacketed reactor and heated with steam while chlorine gas is introduced for chlorination. The reaction is carried out at a temperature below 40°C in the later stage to obtain crude sulfur dichloride. The crude product is then mixed with a certain amount of phosphorus trichloride as a stabilizer and distilled in a distillation column to remove chlorine gas, yielding sulfur dichloride with a purity of 98%-99%.
• Catalytic Chlorination: Using disulfur dichloride and chlorine as raw materials, sulfur dichloride is produced through gas-phase catalytic reactions in the presence of a catalyst.

IV. Applications

• Organic Synthesis: Sulfur dichloride is an intermediate in the production of carbamate insecticides such as carbosulfan and benfuracarb. It is also used as a chlorinating agent in organic synthesis to manufacture anhydrides or chlorides of organic acids.
• Lubricants and Cutting Oils: It serves as an additive for high-pressure lubricants and cutting oils.
• Oil and Fat Industry: In the oil and fat industry, sulfur dichloride is used to treat vegetable oils such as corn oil, cottonseed oil, and soybean oil.
• Disinfectants and Bactericides: It is also used as a disinfectant and bactericide.

V. Safety and Protection

• Operating Precautions: Operations should be carried out in a closed system with proper ventilation. Operators must be specially trained and strictly adhere to operating procedures. It is recommended that operators wear self-contained breathing apparatus (full-face mask), rubber acid and alkali-resistant clothing, and rubber acid and alkali-resistant gloves.
• Storage Precautions: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse. Keep away from fire sources and heat sources. Keep containers tightly sealed. Store separately from oxidizers, alkalis, and active metal powders, and avoid mixed storage.
• Emergency Response: Promptly evacuate personnel from the leakage-contaminated area to a safe zone and immediately isolate the area. Cut off the fire source. It is recommended that emergency response personnel wear self-contained breathing apparatus and acid and alkali-resistant work clothing. For small leaks, absorb with sand, vermiculite, or other inert materials; for large leaks, construct dikes or dig pits to contain the spill.