Substance profile
Potassium Sulfide
Potassium Sulfide is white cubic crystals or fused plates.
01 · Identification
What Potassium Sulfide is
Potassium Sulfide is white cubic crystals or fused plates. It melts at 912 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Potassium Sulfide
- dipotassium sulphide
- potassium sulphide
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 |
|---|---|
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH031
Precautionary statements: P260, P273, P280, P301, P310, P331, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Potassium 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 912 °C (1673.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 840 °C (1544 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.74 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.8 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| Solubility | FREELY SOL IN WATER | HSDB | |
| SOL IN ALCOHOL, GLYCERINE; INSOL IN ETHER | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in ethanol, insoluble in ether. | HSDB | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | MAY EXPLODE ON PERCUSSION OR RAPID HEATING. | HSDB | |
| MANY SULFIDES REACT VIOLENTLY & EXPLOSIVELY ON CONTACT WITH POWERFUL OXIDIZERS. | SULFIDES | HSDB | |
| Finely divided potassium sulfide may explode in air at room temperature. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Potassium Sulfide
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from acids, oxidizing materials, halogens.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Reacts with water to form KOH and KSH.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
POTASSIUM SULFIDE is a reducing agent. So readily oxidized as to be pyrophoric in air [Bretherick 1979 p. 120]. It is incompatible with chloroform and nitrogen oxide.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Potassium Sulfide in the storage compatibility matrix →