Diphosphorus trisulfide

Names
IUPAC name Phosphorus trisulfide
Systematic IUPAC name Diphosphorus trisulfide
Other names Diphosphathiane-1,3-dithione Phosphorus(III) sulfide[1]
Identifiers
CAS Number	12165-69-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	14346688
ECHA InfoCard	100.032.094
EC Number	235-317-5
PubChem CID	16211604
UN number	1343
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID30923915
InChI InChI=1S/P2S3/c3-1-5-2-4 Key: XQNIYBBHBZAQEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES P(=S)SP=S
Properties
Chemical formula	P2S3
Molar mass	158.13 g·mol−1
Appearance	Grayish yellow solid[2]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Diphosphorus trisulfide (sometimes called phosphorus trisulfide) is a phosphorus sulfide with the formula of P₂S₃. The substance is highly unstable and difficult to study.^[3] In contrast, the formal dimer P₄S₆ is well-known.

Early reports that diphosphorous trisulfide could be formed by heating red phosphorus and sulfur were shown to be incorrect by Helff in 1893. Its existence was again reported by Ralston and Wilkinson in 1928. In 1959, Pitochelli and Audrieth showed that the substance existed by X-ray diffraction but did not succeed in fully isolating it.^[4] In 1997, Lohr and Sundholm published a theoretical analysis of the potential structures of this molecular substance.^[5]

In 2017, Xiao proposed that a 2D crystallisation of P₂S₃ was possible based on computer simulations. Xiao suggested that nanoribbons and nanotubes of the material may have applications in semiconductor electronics.^[6]

P₂S₃ is highly flammable. The solid may spontaneously ignite with moist air or in contact with water. Produces phosphoric acid and hydrogen sulfide, a toxic flammable gas in reaction with water. P₂S₃ is a strong reducing agent. Reacts vigorously with oxidizing agents, including inorganic oxoacids, organic peroxides and epoxides. Produce acidic and corrosive phosphorus pentoxide and sulfur dioxide when burned.^[7]

• Lohr, Lawrence L.; Sundholm, Dage, "An ab initio characterization of diphosphorus trisulfide, P₂S₃", Journal of Molecular Structure, vol. 413–414, pp. 495–500, 30 September 1997. doi:10.1016/S0022-2860(97)00142-7
• Pitochelli, A.R.; Audrieth, L.F., "Concerning the existence of diphosphorus trisulfide", Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 81, iss. 17, pp. 4458–4460, 1 September 1959. doi:10.1021/ja01526a005
• Ralston, A.W.; Wilkinson, J.A., "Reactions in liquid hydrogen sulfide. III thiohydrolysis of chlorides", Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 50, iss. 2, pp. 258–264, 1 February 1928. doi:10.1021/ja01389a002
• Xiao, Hang, Low-Dimensional Material: Structure-Property Relationship and Applications in Energy and Environmental Engineering (PhD Dissertation), Columbia University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, no. 10615524, 2017.