Carbon Disulfide
Definition and meaning of Carbon Disulfide in chemistry.
Carbon disulfide is a colorless, volatile, highly flammable liquid with the formula CS2, consisting of a linear molecule in which carbon forms two double bonds to sulfur atoms.
In more detail
The carbon center is sp-hybridized, giving a linear S=C=S geometry analogous to carbon dioxide, but the larger, more polarizable sulfur atoms make CS2 a liquid at room temperature rather than a gas. Pure carbon disulfide has a mild, sweetish odor, though technical-grade material smells foul because of sulfur-containing impurities. It is an excellent nonpolar solvent for waxes, resins, rubber, and phosphorus, and it is manufactured industrially by reacting methane or natural gas with sulfur vapor at high temperature. Its low autoignition temperature and wide flammable range make it one of the more hazardous common industrial solvents.
Key facts
| Formula | CS2 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 76.14 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 46.3 °C |
| Field | Inorganic Chemistry |
Carbon disulfide is used to make sodium cellulose xanthate, the key intermediate in the viscose process for manufacturing rayon fiber and cellophane film.
Frequently asked questions
Why is carbon disulfide considered dangerous?
It is extremely flammable, with an autoignition temperature around 90 °C (well below that of most common solvents), and it is also toxic, acting as a neurotoxin with chronic exposure.
Is carbon disulfide the sulfur analog of carbon dioxide?
Structurally yes, both are linear, sp-hybridized triatomic molecules, but CS2 is a liquid at room temperature because sulfur's larger atomic size and greater polarizability produce stronger intermolecular forces than in CO2.