SULPHUR AND ITS COMPOUNDS

Specific objectives

By the end of the topic, the learners should be able to:

(a) Describe the allotropes of sulphur.

(b) Describe the extraction and state the properties and uses of sulphur.
(c) Describe the preparation and state the properties and uses of sulphur (IV) oxide and
sulphur (VI) oxide.
(d) Carry-out tests to distinguish between sulphite and sulphate ions.
(e) Explain the preparation and manufacture of sulphuric (VI) acid and state its uses.
(f) Distinguish between the reaction of dilute and concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid and
state its uses.
(g) Describe the preparation and state properties of hydrogen sulphide.
(h) Explain environmental pollution caused by sulphur containing compounds.

INTRODUCTION
 Sulphur is the second member of the group VI elements in the periodic table. It is placed
just below oxygen.
 It has atomic number of 16.The electronic configuration therefore is 2.8.6.
 It occurs naturally as an element in deposits in places such as; Texas and Louisiana in
U.S.A, Sicily in Italy and various places in Japan.
 It occurs in combination with other elements as sulphides and sulphates.
 The sulphides ores include;
 Copper pyrites(CuFeS2)
 Iron pyrites(FeS2)
 The sulphates ore include;
 Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O)
 Anhydrite (CaSO4)
 Petroleum gas and mines contain sulphur in form of hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
EXTRACTION OF SULPHUR

 Sulphur deposits occur very deep down about 200m underground.

 The soil structure is weak and can easily cave in and therefore does not allow for digging
of tunnels.
 It is extracted by a method known as Frasch process.
 This process is based on the low melting point of sulphur≈115oC.
 In this method, three concentric pipes of different diameters 2cm, 8cm and 15cm are
drilled into the sulphur deposits underground.
 Water at about 170oC is forced into the sulphur deposits through the outer pipe under a
pressure of about 10 atm (The pressure ensure that the water remains in liquid state at
that high temperature).

NB: This superheated water, melts the sulphur.

  Hot air at a pressure of 15 atm is forced down the inner pipe. This produces a light froth
consisting of a mixture of molten sulphur and water. The high pressure forces the
mixture up the middle pipe.
 The mixture is run into large tanks on the surface where the sulphur solidifies at 115 oc,
separates from the water and is stored.
 The sulphur obtained is usually over 99% pure.

ALLOTROPES OF SULPHUR

Sulphur has three allotropes, namely;

I) Rhombic/Octahedral/Alpha (∝ ¿ sulphur.
II) Monoclinic/Prismatic/Beta ( β ¿ sulphur.
III) Amorphous sulphur.

Rhombic/Octahedral/α sulphur

Exp: How is ∝−¿ sulphur prepared?

Caution: CS2 is highly poisonous and flammable.

Aim;

To prepare octahedral sulphur.

Apparatus and reagents;

 Spatula
 Boiling tube
 Measuring cylinder
 Beaker
 Hand lens
 Filter paper
 Powdered sulphur
 Carbon(IV) sulphide
Procedure;

I) Place two spatulaful of powdered sulphur in a boiling tube containing 10cm 3 of

carbon (IV) Sulphide.
II) Filter the content of the boiling tube into a dry beaker using a dry filter paper.
III) Allow the filtrate to evaporate slowly at room temperature.
IV) Use a hand lens to examine the crystals formed.

Observations;

The crystals of rhombic sulphur are Octahedral in shape as observed through a hand lens

Discussions;
Rhombic Sulphur is also referred to as Octahedral (from its crystal shape) or alpha Sulphur

It is bright yellow crystalline solid.

It forms a ring of eight sulphur atoms as shown below.

 Monoclinic/Prismatic/ β Sulphur

It has a prismatic shape.

It is a pale yellow crystalline solid which appears needle-like when observed using a hand lens.

Its actual shape is a hexagonal prism.

Properties of sulphur
Physical properties

Property Rhombic Monoclinic

1 Appearance Yellow translucent crystals Transparent amber crystals
2 Crystal shape Octahedral Prismatic
3
3 Density(g/cm ) 2.08 1.98
o
4 Mpt( C) 114 119
o
5 Stability Below 96 C Above 96oC
NB: 1) The temperature at which one allotrope of an element changes to another is called the
transition temperature (for sulphur it is 96 C) o
 2) Both allotropes of sulphur consists of puckered S8 rings

Effect of heat on sulphur

The effect of heat on sulphur can be summarized as follow;

Temperature(oC) Observations Explanation

113 Sulphur melts into a clear  Van der waal forces are
amber liquid broken.
 It forms S8 ring molecule.
 Less viscous and flows easily.
180 Reddish-brown and very  S8 rings open up to form long
viscous chains which entangles
making a viscous liquid.
250 Colour becomes brighter and  S8 ring breaks to shorter
liquid becomes mobile chains.

Chemical properties

1. Action of heat on sulphur in excess air;-Sulphur burns with a blue flame forming an
acidic oxide(acid anhydride);

S(s) +O2(g) SO2(g)

2. Action of sulphur on metals;-Sulphur combines readily with many metals to form
sulphides and disulphide;
2Cu(s)+S(s) Cu2S(s)
 Fe(s)+2S(s) FeS2(s)
Fe(s) +S(s) FeS(s)
3. Action of sulphur on non-metals;-Sulphur reacts with hydrogen to form a small
amount of hydrogen sulphide;
H2(g) +S(s) H2S(g)
-At high temperature, sulphur reacts with carbon to form carbon disulphide;
C(s) +2S(s) CS2(s)
-It reacts vigorously with fluorine to form sulphur hexafluoride;
S(s) + 3F2(g) SF6(g)
4. Action of sulphur on acids;-Sulphur does not react with dilute acids but reacts with
concentrated acids.
-Sulphur is oxidized to sulphur (IV) oxide by hot concentrated acids;
S(s) + 2H2SO4(l) 3SO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
-Hot concentrated nitric(V) acid oxidizes Sulphur to Sulphuric(VI) acid in presence of
bromine catalyst. Nitric(V) acid is reduced to Nitrogen(IV) oxide;
S(s) + 6HNO3(l) H2SO4(aq) +6NO2(g) +2H2O(l)
Uses of Sulphur
1) In the manufacture of Sulphuric (VI) acid.
2) In the manufacture of fungicides, insecticides and other Sulphur chemicals.
3) In making Calcium Hydrogen Sulphide for bleaching wood pulp used in paper
manufacture.
4) Vulcanization (hardening) of rubber.
5) In making of dyes, fireworks and match stick heads.
THE COMPOUNDS OF SULPHUR

Oxides of Sulphur
Sulphur forms two oxides, namely;

 Sulphur(IV) oxide,SO2
 Sulphur(VI) oxide,SO3

Sulphur (IV) oxide

Can be prepared in the laboratory by reacting either;

i) Concentrated sulphuric(VI) acid with copper (There is no heating)

ii) Dilute hydrochloric acid with sodium sulphite(Heating is needed)
 iii) Burning of sulphur or sulphide in air

Exp: Reacting of Hydrochloric acid and sodium sulphite

Procedure

1. Put a spatulaful of Na2SO3 in a round-bottomed flask.

2. Arrange the apparatus as shown below

3. Add dilute hydrochloric acid dropwise and warm if necessary.

4. Collect six test-tubes and four jars of the gas.
Questions
1) Write an equation for the reaction that occurs between dilute HCl and Na2SO3.
Na2SO3(s) +2HCl(aq) 2SO2(g) +2NaCl(aq) +H2O(l)
2) What is the purpose of the concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid in the experiment?
To dry the SO2 produced.
3) What is the purpose of potassium (VI) chromate paper in the experiment?
To confirm that the gas has filled the gas jar by
changing colour from orange to green
NB: 1. For the reaction between concentrated H2SO4 and copper, the equation is;

Cu(s) +2H2SO4(l) SO2(g) +2H2O(l)

+CuSO4(aq)
2. For burning of Sulphur or Sulphide in air the equations are;

S(s) + O2(g) SO2(g)

4FeS2(s) +11O2(g) 2Fe2O3(s) +8SO2(g)

Properties of sulphur (IV) oxide.
Physical properties

1) It is a colourless gas with an irritating, chocking smell.

2) It turns moist blue litmus paper red and then bleaches it.
3) It is readily soluble in water forming Sulphurous acid;
SO2(g) + H2O(l) H2SO3(aq)
4) It is about twice as dense as air.
5) Its boiling point is approximately -10oC and is readily liquefied under slight pressure.
6) The gas is highly soluble in water(confirmed by inverting a test tube full of gas in a
trough of water, the level of water rises rapidly inside the test-tube)

Chemical properties

1) Action on air(oxygen)

-A mixture of sulphur (IV) oxide and air passed over heated vanadium (V) oxide catalyst
forms sulphur(VI) oxide;

vanadium ( V ) oxide
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)
catalyst

2) Reduction action
i. In presence of water, sulphur(IV) oxide forms sulphide ions,SO3-2 which acts as
electron donors;
H2O(l) +SO2(g) H2SO3(aq) 2H+(aq) + SO3-2(aq)
SO32-(aq)+ H2O(l) SO42-(aq)+2H+(aq) +2e-
ii. It reduces dichromate ions to chromium(III) ions;
Cr2O72-(aq) +3SO2(g) +2H+(aq) 2Cr3+(aq) +3SO42-(aq) +H2O(l)
 (Orange) (Green)
NB: This is one of the many tests for the presence of SO2(g)
iii. Manganate ions (MnO4-) are reduced to manganese (II) ions (Mn2+) while SO2 is
oxidized to H2SO4.The purple solution gets decolorized;
2MnO4-(aq) + 5SO2(g) +2H2O(l) 2Mn2+(aq) + 5SO42-(aq) +4H+(aq)
NB: This is another test for the presence of SO2(g)
iv. Iron (III) ions are reduced to Iron(II) ions and SO2(g) is oxidized to sulphuric(VI)
acid;
2Fe3+(aq) +SO2(g) +2H2O(l) 2Fe2+(aq) +SO42-(aq) +4H+(aq)
v. Sulphur (IV) oxide oxidizes chlorine water to chloride ions;
SO2(g) + Cl2(g) + 2H2O(l) SO42-(aq) +2Cl-(aq) +4H+(aq)
vi. Sulphur (IV) oxide reduces concentrated Nitric(V) acid to Nitrogen(IV) oxide and
is itself oxidized to sulphuric(VI) acid;
SO2(g) +2HNO3(aq) H2SO4(aq) +2NO2(g)
vii. Bleaching is a reducing reaction. Sulphur(IV) oxide is dissolved in water to form
sulphorous acid which is oxidized to sulphuric (VI) acid by taking up oxygen from
the coloured material;
SO2(g) + H2O(l) H2SO3(aq)
H2SO3(aq) + (dye+O) H2SO4(aq) +dye

3. Sulphur (IV) oxide acts as an oxidizing agent

-Sulphur (IV) oxide acts as an oxidizing agent by oxidizing more powerful reducing agent than
itself;

i. When burning magnesium is lowered into a gas jar of sulphur (IV) oxide, white
fumes of Magnesium oxide and yellow specks of sulphur are formed. Magnesium
continues to burn because the high temperature at which magnesium burns
decomposes sulphur(IV) oxide to Sulphur and oxygen;
SO2(g) S(s) +O2(g)
2Mg(s) +O2(g) 2MgO(s)
ii. When a gas jar of dry hydrogen sulphide is inverted in a test-tube containing dry
sulphur (IV) oxide, there is no observable change. When a few drops of water are
added into each gas jar and the mixture shaken, a yellow deposit of sulphur will be
produced;
2H2S(g) + SO2(g) 3S(s) +2H2O(l)
 4.Action on alkali;

-Alkali absorbs sulphur (IV) oxide and the salt formed depends on the amount of gas used. A
small amount of sulphur (IV) oxide forms a sulphite and water. In excess sulphur (IV) oxide a
hydrogen sulphite only is formed;

2NaOH(aq) + SO2(g) Na2SO3(aq) +H2O(l)

2NaOH(aq) + 2SO2(g) 2NaHSO3(aq)

Uses of sulphur (IV) oxide

1) For fumigation in killing insect pests.

2) For bleaching straws, sponges, paper and textiles.
3) For preservation of fruit juices and other food stuffs.
4) As an intermediate compound in the manufacture of sulphuric (VI) acid.
Sulphur (VI) oxide

Preparation in the laboratory

It is prepared by passing sulphur (IV) oxide and oxygen gas over a vanadium (V) oxide or
platinum catalyst.

The gas is then solidified in a freezing mixture;

2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)

Anhydrous calcium chloride protects the solidified gas from atmospheric moisture.
Physical properties

1) Exists in form of white solid or white fumes.

2) It is highly hygroscopic.
3) It is readily soluble in water forming sulphuric (VI) acid.
Test for sulphates and sulphites ions

Exp: what is the test for sulphates and sulphites ions?

Aim

To test for the presence of SO42-(aq) or SO32-(aq)

Procedure

1) Prepare solutions containing sulphates and sulphite ions to be tested respectively.

2) Carry- out the following tests and record the observations as shown in the table below.

Test Observations Inferences

To 2cm3 of 2M Na2SO4 in a -A white ppt is -Presence of

test-tube.
(i) Add 2 cm3 of 2M
formed. either SO42- or
Ba(NO3)2 orBaCl2 SO32-
solution

(ii) To the mixture in (i) -The white ppt -Presence of

above add 2cm3 of 2M
dilute HCl (or dil. HNO3),
formed above is SO42-
continue adding until in insoluble/persist
excess. s.
(iii) Repeat procedure (i) -A white ppt is -Presence of
using 2cm3 of 2M Na2SO3
solution.
formed. either SO42- or
SO32-
(vi) Repeat procedure -The white ppt -Presence of
(ii) using the mixture in (iii).
formed above SO32-
dissolved in
dilute acid with
production of a
gas which turns
filter paper
soaked in
acidified orange
potassium
dichromate to
green.
Equations involved above;
For SO42-;
Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) BaSO4(s)
For SO32-;
Ba2+(aq) + SO32-(aq) BaSO3(s)
BaSO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) BaCl2(aq) +SO2(g) +H2O(l)
 BaSO3(s) +2H+(aq) Ba2+(aq) +SO2(g) +H2O(l)

Sulphuric (VI) acid

Large scale manufacture of sulphuric (VI) acid;

Sulphuric (VI) acid is manufactured in large scale through a process called Contact process.

Raw materials

 Sulphur/Iron pyrite or zinc blende

 Air(oxygen)
 Water
 Concentrated Sulphuric (VI) acid

Process

The process can be divided into five stages, namely;

1. Combining of sulphur and oxygen;

Sulphur is burnt in air to form Sulphur (IV) oxide. This is the most convenient
method of producing sulphur (IV) oxide.
S(s) + O2(g) SO2(g)

2. Purifying sulphur (IV) oxide in the purification unit;

The sulphur (IV) oxide so produced contains dust particles as impurities. This
would ‘poison’ the catalyst used by reducing the surface area of the catalyst thus
impairing its efficiency. To get rid of the dust particles Electrostatic precipitation
is used.
Since the gas is needed while dry, it is passed through concentrated sulphuric (VI)
acid.

3. Adding excess of oxygen to sulphur (IV) oxide in presence of catalyst (Vanadium

(V) oxide or Platinum asbestos);
 The purified gas mixture (Sulphur (IV) oxide and Air) is then heated in a heat
exchanger by hot gases leaving the catalytic chamber where the reaction is
exothermic.
The mixture of gases the proceeds to the catalytic chamber where they are
further heated and reacted in presence of Vanadium (V) oxide or Platinum
asbestos as catalysts.
NB: Vanadium (V) oxide is mostly used because Platinum asbestos are:-
 Expensive
 Easily poisoned.

When the two gases (SO2& Air) react to form Sulphur (VI) oxide;
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)
The forward reaction is exothermic and the rate of flow of gases is adjusted to
maintain the temperature at 4500C without external heating.
NB: The optimum conditions for production of Sulphur (VI) oxide are;-
 Temperature of 4500C.
 A catalyst preferably Vanadium (V) oxide.
 Pressure of 2-3 atmospheres.
4. Sulphur (VI) oxide formed is added to concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid which give
rise to oleum (disulphuric acid);
In most cases, water is used for dissolving purposes. However in contact process
concentrated Sulphuric (VI) acid is used instead. This is due to excessive heat
generated when water is used which could boil the acid formed to produce a mist
of fine droplets of Sulphuric (VI) acid in air. These droplets would pollute the air
and even be dangerous to life.
SO3(g) + H2SO4(l) H2S2O7(l)
(Oleum)
5. The oleum then is added to water to form concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid as the
end product;
The oleum is then dissolved in water to form Sulphuric (VI) acid.
 H2S2O7(l) + H2O(l) →2H2SO4(l)

Issues resulting from the process

During the contact process not all sulphur (IV) oxide converted into sulphur (VI) oxide, only 98%
conversion of sulphur (IV) oxide occurs. The unreacted sulphur (IV) oxide is removed by passing
the exhaust gases through chimney lined with calcium hydroxide to control the amount of
sulphur (IV) oxide released in the atmosphere. Sulphur (IV) oxide is removed as follows;

Ca(OH)2(aq) +SO2(g) CaSO3(aq) +H2O(l) in process known as scrubbing the gas.

It can also be removed by recycling it back to the reaction chambers.

PROPERTIES OF SULPHURIC (VI) ACID.

Concentrated Sulphuric (VI) acid

Physical properties.

1. A colourless oily liquid.

2. Has a density of 1.84g/cm3.
3. Has a boiling point of 3380C.
4. Highly soluble in water in a highly exothermic reaction.
5. It is hygroscopic (this makes it suitable as a drying agent).
Chemical properties
1. It is a dehydrating agent. Due to this property, it removes water of crystallization from
some substances e.g.CuSO4.5H2O(s) conc. H2SO4(l) CuSO4(s) +5H2O(l)

(Blue crystals) (White)

And elements of water from compounds which do not contain water molecules e.g.
C12H22O11(aq) conc.H2SO4(l) 12C(s) +11H2O(l) ……………………………………………..(sugar)

HCOOH(s) conc.H2SO4(l) CO(g) +H2O(l)…………………………………………..(methanoic acid)

C2H5OH(aq) conc.H2SO4(l) C2H4(g) +H2O(l)………………………………………………….(ethanol)

2. Hot concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid is an oxidizing agent. When copper or zinc metal is
added to hot concentrated sulphuric(VI) acid, a gas is produced which turns acidified
potassium chromate(VI) solution from orange to green and decolourises acidified
potassium manganate (VII) solution i.e. sulphur(IV) oxide.
Cu(s) +2H2SO4(l) CuSO4(aq) + SO2(g) +2H2O(l)
Zn(s) +2H2SO4(l) ZnSO4(aq) +SO2(g) +2H2O(l)
NB: In each case the metals change from neutral atoms to ions i.e.
Cu(s) Cu2+(aq) +2e-
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) +2e-
It also oxidizes non-metals such as sulphur and carbon;
S(s) +2H2SO4(l) 3SO2(g) +2H2O(l)
C(s) +2H2SO4(l) 2SO2(g) +CO2(g) +2H2O(l)
 3. Concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid is a less volatile acid. It displaces more volatile acids
from their salts e.g.
KNO3(s) +H2SO4(l) HNO3(g) +KHSO4(s)
NaCl(s) +H2SO4(l) HCl(g) + NaHSO4(s)
Dilute sulphuric (VI) acid

Since dilute sulphuric (VI) acid varies in concentration, physical properties also change hence
they shall not be discussed here.

Chemical properties.

It behaves like a typical acid i.e.

(i) It reacts with metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series to produce a salt and
hydrogen gas e.g. Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) MgSO4(aq) +H2(g)
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) +H2(g)
Cu(s) + H2SO4(aq) No reaction.
(ii) React with carbonates and hydrogen carbonate in the usual manner e.g.
Na2CO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) Na2SO4(aq) +CO2(g) +H2O(l)
ZnCO3(s) +H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) +CO2(g) +H2O(l)
CaCO3(s) +H2SO4(aq) CaSO4(aq) +CO2(g) +H2O(l)
CuCO3(s) +H2SO4(aq) CuSO4(aq) +CO2(g) +H2O(l)
(iii) React with metal oxide or hydroxide to give a salt and water e.g.
MgO(s) +H2SO4(aq) MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
(White) (Colourless)
ZnO(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO(aq) + H2O(l)
(White) (colourless)
CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq) CuSO4(aq) +H2O(l)
(Black) (Black)
PbO(s) +H2SO4(aq) PbSO4(s) +H2O(l)………Reaction stops after a while due to
formation of a precipitate.
2NaOH(aq) +H2SO4(aq) Na2SO4(aq) +2H2O(l)
Uses of sulphuric (VI) acid
1. Manufacture of fertilizers.
2. Processing of metal ores.
3. Manufacture of detergents.
4. Manufacture of plastics.
5. Manufacture of dyes and paints.
6. Manufacture of lead acid accumulator.
 7. In petroleum refining.

Hydrogen sulphide

It is a gaseous compound of hydrogen and sulphur which is very poisonous.

It occurs naturally in some deposits mixed with natural gas.

Laboratory preparation of hydrogen sulphide.

Hydrogen sulphide can be prepared from the action of dilute hydrochloric acid on Iron (II)
sulphide.

CAUTION: This gas should not be prepared in the laboratory since it is highly poisonous.

Equation: FeS(s) +2HCl(aq) FeCl2(aq) +H2S(g)

NB: a) The gas is collected over warm water since it dissolves in cold water.

b) The gas is dried by passing it through a U-tube packed with anhydrous calcium chloride
and not concentrated sulphuric(VI) acid since it would be oxidized to sulphur as follows;
3H2S(g) + H2SO4(l) 4S(s) +4H2O(l)

Properties of hydrogen Sulphide

Physical properties.

1. It is colourless.
2. It has a characteristic smell of rotten eggs.
3. It is poisonous.
4. It is denser than air.
5. It is slightly soluble (to a fair extent) in cold water.
6. It has a boiling point of -620C (211K).
Chemical properties.
a) Reaction with water.
It dissolves in water to form a weak acidic solution of aqueous hydrogen Sulphide i.e.
H2S(aq) H+(aq) +HS-(aq) or H2S(aq) 2H+(aq) +S2-(aq)
NB: Hydrogen Sulphide is a dibasic acid and forms two salts hydrogen Sulphide and the
Sulphide e.g. sodium hydrogen Sulphide (NaHS) and sodium Sulphide (Na 2S).
b) Reaction with oxygen.
It burns in air with a pale blue flame.
In limited air supply, sulphur and water are formed; 2H2S(g) + O2(g) 2S(s) + 2H2O(l)
In excess air, sulphur (IV) oxide and water are formed; 2H2S(g) +3O2(g) 2SO2(g) +2H2O(l)
c) Reactions of hydrogen sulphide as reducing agents .
Hydrogen Sulphide is a strong reducing agent and is readily oxidized to sulphur, which is
precipitated as yellow solid.
(i)Red-brown bromine water is reduced by hydrogen Sulphide forming colourless
hydrogen bromide solution and a yellow precipitate of sulphur.
Br2(aq) + H2S(g) 2HBr(aq) +S(s)
(ii) Yellow Iron (III) chloride in solution is reduced to green Iron (II) chloride.
H2S(g) +2FeCl3(aq) 2FeCl2(aq) +S(s) +2HCl(aq)
(iii)An acidified purple potassium manganate (VII) solution is reduced to a colourless
manganese (II) solution.
2MnO-(aq) +5H2S(g) +6H+(aq) 2Mn2+(aq) +8H2O(l) +5S(s)
(iv)A solution of hydrogen peroxide is reduced to water and a yellow precipitate of
sulphur formed. H2O2(aq) +H2S(g) 2H2O(l) +S(s)
 (v)Brown fumes of nitrogen (IV) oxide are produced and pale yellow sulphur is deposited
when hydrogen Sulphide is bubbled into dilute nitric (V) acid.
2HNO3(aq) +H2S(g) 2NO2(g) +2H2O(l) +S(s)
Similarly, dilute Sulphuric (VI) acid is reduced to sulphur by hydrogen Sulphide.
H2SO4(aq) +3H2S(g) 4S(s) +4H2O(l)
d) Reaction with aqueous metallic ions.
It reacts with some metal ions solution to form a precipitate of metal Sulphide. When
bubbled through aqueous copper (II) sulphate, a black precipitate of copper (II) Sulphide
is formed.Cu2+(aq) +S2-(aq) CuS(s)
Others;
Zn2+(aq) + S2-(aq) ZnS(s)
2+ 2-
Pb (aq) + S (aq) PbS(s)
2+ 2-
Fe (aq) +S (aq) FeS(s)
NB: 1) Most sulphides are insoluble in water except those of sodium, potassium and
ammonium ion.
2) When equimolar hydrogen Sulphide and sodium hydroxide solutions are reacted,
sodium hydrogen Sulphide an acidic salt is formed; NaOH(aq) +H2S(aq) NaHS(aq) +H2O(l)
When excess sodium hydroxide is used sodium Sulphide, a normal salt is formed;
2NaOH(aq) +H2S(aq) Na2S(aq) +H2O(l)
Pollution of the atmosphere by compounds of Sulphur.

Sulphur compounds especially sulphur (IV) oxide and hydrogen Sulphide are among the main
causes of atmospheric pollution.

When Sulphur containing fuels are burnt, they release Sulphur (IV) oxide to the atmosphere. It
is also emitted to the atmosphere during the extraction of metal such as copper and in the
manufacture of Sulphuric (VI) acid.

In the atmosphere, Sulphur (IV) oxide is oxidized to Sulphur (VI) oxide; 2SO 2(g)+O2(g) 2SO3(g)

The Sulphur (VI) oxide so formed reacts with the water in the atmosphere to form Sulphuric (VI)
acid which comes down as acid rain or acid fog.

Acid rain or fog has serious environmental effects. These include:-

 Stunted growth in plants due to loss of chlorophyll from plants leaves.

 Death of plants as a result of defoliation.
 Destruction of aquatic life in acidified lakes.
 Corrosion of metallic structures.
 Leaching of minerals in the soil.
 Irritation of the respiratory system thus worsening respiratory illnesses.
 Hydrogen sulphide is very poisonous. High concentration of the gas kills.