Phosphorus sesquisulfide

Phosphorus sesquisulfide P4S3 [1314-85-8] M 220.1, m 172 . Extracted with CS2. filtered and evapd to dryness. Placed in H2O, and steam was passed through for an hour. The H2O was then removed, the solid was dried, followed by crystallisation from CS2 [Rogers and Gross J Am Chem Soc 74 5294 1952]. 

The large strtke-anywhere (SAW) or kitchen match has a small, easily ignitable tip composed of phosphorus sesquisulfide affixed to a larger... 

The spontaneous flaming of WP in air can also be made more reliable when a eutectic mixt of 55% WP with 45% phosphorus sesquisulfide (P4S3) is formed. This material (mp 40°, d 1.84g/cc) was used in WWII in one-shot flame throwers designed to protect tanks against suicide attacks by infantry (El Antipersonnel Tank Protector) (Ref 4, p 27)... 

Tetraphosphorus trisulfide (P4S3) which is also called phosphorus sesquisulfide, can be obtained by heating a stoichiometric mixture of phosphorus and sulfur at 180 °C in an inert atmosphere. The compound (m.p. 174 °C) is soluble in toluene, carbon disulfide, and benzene, and it is used with potassium chlorate, sulfur, and lead dioxide in matches. 

Phosphorus production technology, 79 5 Phosphorus production plants, 79 17 Phosphorus removal, as advanced wastewater treatment, 25 907 Phosphorus-rich phosphides, 79 59 Phosphorus selenides, 22 87 Phosphorus sesquisulfide, 79 47 Phosphorus-silver, UNS designation,... 

The EWP (Eutectic White Phosphorus) fuel consists of white phosphorus 55 phosphorus sesquisulfide 45% by weight. 

Tetraphosphorus trisulfide, also known as phosphorus sesquisulfide, P4S3, can be obtained by heating a stoichiometric mixture of P4 and sulfur at 180 °C under an inert atmosphere. 

Phosphorus and its compounds have other uses. These uses account for about 10 percent of all the phosphorus produced. For example, the compounds known as phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5) and phosphorus sesqui-sulfide (P4S3) are used to make ordinary wood and paper safety matches. These compounds coat the tip of the match. When the match is scratched on a surface, the phosphorus pentasulfide or phosphorus sesquisulfide bursts into flame. It ignites other chemicals on the head of the match. 

Early small-scale uses of white (or yellow) phosphorus were for the manufacture of matches and fireworks. However, the debilitating occupational illness of phossy jaw among workers, and the occasional hot pockets and singed purses from spontaneous ignition led to its discontinuance for matches by the early 1900s [12]. Today, either red phosphorus or phosphorus sesquisulfide (P4S3 Eq. 10.7), both much safer, are used for matches, flares, and other incendiary devices. 

Phosphorus sesquisulfide is used in making safety matches. 

Phosphorus sesquisulfide exhibited low to moderate acute oral toxicity in animals. An oral dose lethal to rabbits was reported to be 100 mg/kg (NIOSH 1986). Because of its low vapor pressme, any health hazard due to inhalation of this compound in the work place should be very low. There is no report on its acute inhalation toxicity. Its vapors may produce irritation of respiratory passage. Skin contact may cause mild irritation. It produces toxic sulfur dioxide on burning. 

Highly flammable solid autoignition temperature 100°C (212°F). It can ignite by friction. Fire-extinguishing agent CO2 use a flood of water to extinguish fire. Phosphorus sesquisulfide is decomposed by water. However, its reactivity toward water is not as violent as that of phosphorus pentasulfide. 

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