Carbon Disulfide - CS2

What is Carbon Disulfide?

CS2 is an organosulfur compound and a volatile liquid with chemical name Carbon Disulfide. It is also called Carbon bisulfide or disulfidocarbon or methanedithione. It is a solvent for sulfur, bromine, fats, rubber, phosphorus, asphalt, selenium, iodine, and resins. It has been widely used to purify single-walled carbon nanotubes and in the manufacturing of flotation agents.

Carbon bisulfide flammable, colorless to light yellow, poisonous, volatile liquid which has a strong disagreeable smell. It has a flash point value of -22°F and is Insoluble in water. It is denser than water therefore sinks in it.

Properties of Carbon Disulfide – CS2

CS2 Carbon Disulfide
Molecular weight of CS2 76.13 g/mol
Density of Carbon Disulfide 1.539 g/cm3
Melting point of Carbon Disulfide −111.61 °C
Boiling point of Carbon Disulfide 46.24 °C

Carbon Disulfide structure – CS2

CS2 Uses (Carbon Disulfide)

  • Carbon Disulfide is used in the production of carbon tetrachloride.
  • Used as preparing soil disinfectants.
  • Used in the manufacturing of rayon.
  • Used as a solvent for iodine, phosphorous, etc.
  • Used to manufacture electronic vacuum tubes.
  • Used as solvent in rubber making industries.
  • Used in camphor.
  • Used in generating petroleum catalysts.
  • Used as pesticide intermediate.

Carbon Disulfide Reactions

    • Reacts with oxygen produces carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

CS2 + 3 O2 → CO2 + 2 SO2

    • Sodium sulfide undergoes a reaction to produce trithiocarbonate:

Na2S + CS2 → [Na+]2[CS32−]

    • Carbon disulfide is reduced with sodium to produce sodium 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate and sodium trithiocarbonate.

4 Na + 4 CS2 → Na2C3S5 + Na2CS3

    • Carbon tetrachloride is produced by chlorination of CS2

CS2 + 3 Cl2 → CCl4 + S2Cl2

Health hazards

It affects the CNS, eyes, liver, skin, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. It is absorbed through the skin in its liquid or vapour form, ingested or inhaled. The likely oral lethal dose for humans is between 0.5 to 5 grams per kilogram person. Also, it leads to disturbance of vision and sensory changes. Lowest lethal dose for a human is reported as 14 mg/kg person.