Carbon Disulfide
Definition and meaning of Carbon Disulfide in chemistry.
Carbon disulfide is a colorless, highly flammable chemical liquid. Its chemical formula is CS2, which features a central carbon atom. This carbon atom forms double bonds with two sulfur atoms.
In more detail
The molecular shape of carbon disulfide is perfectly straight. It looks just like the structure of a carbon dioxide molecule. However, sulfur atoms are much larger than oxygen atoms.
These larger sulfur atoms have more electrons that can shift around easily. This constant shifting creates stronger attraction forces between the neighboring molecules. These strong forces make carbon disulfide a liquid at room temperature instead of a gas.
Pure carbon disulfide has a very mild and slightly sweet smell. Most industrial versions smell terrible due to leftover sulfur impurities. It acts as an excellent nonpolar solvent for many difficult materials.
It easily dissolves fats, raw rubber, waxes, and elemental phosphorus. Chemical plants make it by reacting methane gas with sulfur vapor at extreme heat. This liquid is one of the most hazardous common solvents used in large factories.
It can catch fire at dangerously low temperatures without any spark. A warm steam pipe is often enough to ignite the invisible fumes. It is also highly toxic to the human nervous system over time.
Many students incorrectly assume it behaves exactly like safe carbon dioxide. Its severe physical dangers and liquid state make it vastly different.
Key facts
| Formula | CS2 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 76.14 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 46.3 °C |
| Molecule shape | Linear |
| Primary risk | Extreme flammability and nerve toxicity |
Factories use massive amounts of carbon disulfide to make soft rayon fiber. Workers treat natural plant cellulose with sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. This reaction turns the stiff wood pulp into a thick, sticky liquid syrup. They force this syrup through tiny holes into a strong acid bath. The acid solidifies the syrup into soft rayon threads for making clothes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is carbon disulfide considered so dangerous?
It can catch fire at around 90 °C without a flame. It also acts as a slow poison to the nervous system.
Is carbon disulfide the exact sulfur version of carbon dioxide?
Structurally yes, they both have a straight shape. However, carbon disulfide is a liquid because sulfur atoms create stronger attractive forces.
Why does carbon disulfide smell so bad?
The pure chemical actually has a mild, sweet scent. The terrible smell comes from trace amounts of other smelly sulfur chemicals.
Related terms
Sources & references
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