Potassium hydrosulfide is the inorganic compound with the formula KSH. This colourless salt consists of the cation K+ and the bisulfide anion [SH]−. It is the product of the half-neutralization of hydrogen sulfide with potassium hydroxide. The compound is used in the synthesis of some organosulfur compounds.[1] Aqueous solutions of potassium sulfide consist of a mixture of potassium hydrosulfide and potassium hydroxide.

The structure of the potassium hydrosulfide resembles that for potassium chloride. Their structure is however complicated by the non-spherical symmetry of the SH− anions, but these tumble rapidly in the solid.[2]

Addition of sulfur gives dipotassium pentasulfide.

Synthesis

It is prepared by neutralizing aqueous KOH with H2S.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ Dittmer, Donald C. (2001). "Potassium Hydrogen Sulfide". In Paquette, L. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. J. Wiley & Sons, New York. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rp227. ISBN 0471936235.
  2. ^ Haarmann, F; Jacobs, H.; Roessler, E.; Senker, J. (2002). "Dynamics of Anions and Cations in Hydrogensulfides of Alkali Metals (NaHS, KHS, RbHS): A Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study". Journal of Chemical Physics. 117 (3): 1269–1276. Bibcode:2002JChPh.117.1269H. doi:10.1063/1.1483860.
  3. ^ Kurzer, F.; Lawson, A. (1962). "Thiobenzoylthioglycolic Acid". Organic Syntheses. 42: 100. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.042.0100.
  4. ^ Robert L. Frank and James R. Blegen (1948). "Benzoyl Disulfide". Organic Syntheses. 28: 16. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.028.0016.