Substance profile
Sulfur dichloride
Sulfur dichloride is a red viscous liquid with a pungent chlorine odor.
01 · Identification
What Sulfur dichloride is
Sulfur dichloride is a red viscous liquid with a pungent chlorine odor. It boils at 59 °C, melts at -122 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Sulfur dichloride
- sulphur dichloride
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 |
|---|---|
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH014
Precautionary statements: P260, P273, P280, P301, P310, P331, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Sulfur dichloride 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 | 59 °C (138.2 °F) | decomp | HSDB |
| 59 °C (138.2 °F) | Haz-Map | ||
| Melting point | -122 °C (-187.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -78 °C (-108.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.6 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.621 g/cm³ | at 15 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons; very soluble in benzene and carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| Soluble in hexane | HSDB | ||
| Sulfur dichloride is miscible with many inorganic and organic covalent compounds such as liquid SO2, S2Cl2, SOCl2, SO2Cl2, chlorohydrocarbons, and benzene. | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 162.013 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 172.514 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 118.33 °C (245 °F) | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 233.89 °C (453 °F) | HSDB | |
| 234 °C (453.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Behavior in fire: Pressurized container may explode and release toxic, irritating vapors. | Hydrocloric acid | HSDB |
| Vapor density | 3.55 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor threshold: 0.0042 mg/cu m (low); 0.0042 mg/cu m (high). | HSDB | |
| Air: 0.77 ul/l; Odor safety class C; C= less than 50% of distracted persons perceive warning of TLV. | Hydrochloric acid | HSDB | |
| Odor low: 7.0 mg/cu m; Odor high: 49.0 mg/cu m; strong irritating odor; Irritating concn= 49.00 mg/cu m. | Hydrochloric acid | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Reacts violently with metals | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Sulfur dichloride
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Isolate from water & oxidizing materials. /Sulfur chlorides/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Reacts violently with Aluminum, Ammonia, Pottassium, Sodium , acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, water oxidants, metals, hexafluoro isopropylidene amino lithium. Reactive with water, steam.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Sulfur dichloride in the storage compatibility matrix →