Substance profile
Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen Sulfide is a colorless gas [Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas] with strong odor of rotten eggs.
01 · Identification
What Hydrogen Sulfide is
Hydrogen Sulfide is a colorless gas [Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas] with strong odor of rotten eggs. Its molecular formula is H2S and its molecular weight is 34.08 g/mol. It boils at -60.3 °C, melts at -85.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
Other names for Hydrogen Sulfide
- hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen sulfide
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P260, P271, P273, P304, P310, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Hydrogen Sulfide properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -60.33 °C (-76.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -60.56 °C (-77 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -60.33 °C (-76.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -85.49 °C (-121.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -85.56 °C (-122 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -85.5 °C (-121.9 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.916 g/cm³ | at 24.44 °C | OSHA | |
| 1.393 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Soluble in glycerol, gasoline, kerosene, carbon disulfide, crude oil. | HSDB | |
| 1 g dissolves in 94.3 ml absolute alcohol at 20 °C; 1 g dissolves in 48.5 mL ether at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 3980 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 13380 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 13600 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 15600 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 260 °C (500 °F) | Haz-Map | |
| NA (Gas) | NIOSH | ||
| Flammable gas | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 260 °C (500 °F) | HSDB | |
| 270 °C (518 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 4.3 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 44 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 46 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 1.189 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.19 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | 0.05 ppm | HSDB | |
| Detection limit in air: 1.30x10-1 ppm (purity not specified) | HSDB | ||
| Detection limit in air: 1.80x10-4 ppm (purity not specified) | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 100.4 °C (212.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 99.95 °C (211.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Hydrogen Sulfide
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Corrosivity
Anhydrous hydrogen sulfide has low general corrosivity toward carbon steel, aluminum, Inconel, Stellite and 300-series stainless steels at moderate temperatures. Temperatures greater than ca 260 °C can produce severe sulfidation of carbon steel. Wet hydrogen sulfide can be quite corrosive to carbon steel.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Hydrogen Sulfide
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from oxidizable materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Fuming nitric acid reacts with incandescence with hydrogen sulfide.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Hydrogen Sulfide in the storage compatibility matrix →