IS SULFUR DICHLORIDE UNSTABLE? A Direct Experimental Answer

Abstract

The nature of instability of sulfur dichloride was examined in the gas phase. Purification of this compound was performed by trap-to-trap condensation in the absence of light. In this condition, sulfur dichloride was quite stable for several days at room temperature and even up to 80°C in gas phase. The UV-Vis and IR spectra of the compound were reinvestigated. New data on the electronic absorption spectra of pure sulfur dichloride were obtained. Our observations reveal that the instability of sulfur dichloride is due to its photochemical decomposition until establishment of the equilibrium: 2SCl₂ ⇆ S₂Cl₂+Cl₂

Key Words:

• Sulfur dichloride
• purification
• thermal stability
• absorption spectra
• photochemical properties