Gas with the smell of rotten eggs

When smelling the smell of rotten eggs, many people cannot clearly distinguish why there is such smell when there are obviously no eggs. Little do people know that there is a kind of sulfur dioxide gas that smells like rotten eggs and is highly toxic. If you are in an open environment, you need to take protective measures, otherwise it will harm your body or others. This article introduces the details of sulfur dioxide, let’s take a look.

1. What gas smells like rotten eggs?

Dihydrogen sulfide is also known as hydrogen sulfide. At room temperature, hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, highly toxic gas with the smell of rotten eggs. It should be used in a ventilated area and protective measures must be taken.

2. What is hydrogen sulfide?

Hydrogen sulfide, with the molecular formula H2S and a molecular weight of 34.076, is a flammable acidic gas under standard conditions. It is colorless and has the smell of rotten eggs at low concentrations. It has a foul odor at extremely low concentrations and is highly toxic (LC50=444ppm<500ppm). Its aqueous solution is hydrosulfuric acid. The molecular weight is 34.08, the vapor pressure is 2026.5kPa/25.5℃, the flash point is <-50℃, the melting point is -85.5℃, the boiling point is -60.4℃, and the relative density is (air = 1) 1.19. It is soluble in water and easily soluble in alcohols, petroleum solvents and crude oil. The flash point is 292℃. Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable hazardous chemical. It can form an explosive mixture when mixed with air and can cause combustion and explosion when exposed to open flames or high temperatures. Hydrogen sulfide is an important chemical raw material.

3. Main uses of hydrogen sulfide

Used in the manufacture of synthetic phosphors, electroluminescent materials, photoconductors, photoelectric exposure meters, etc. Reducing agent in organic synthesis. Used in metal refining, pesticides, medicines, and catalyst regeneration. Universal reagents. Preparation of various sulfides. It is used to make inorganic sulfides and also used in chemical analysis such as identification of metal ions.

4. Properties and stability of hydrogen sulfide

It is highly soluble in organic amines. It also has a high solubility in caustic soda solutions. Combustion in excess oxygen produces sulfur dioxide and water, while insufficient oxygen produces water and free sulfur. Stable at room temperature. It is soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is weakly acidic. When it comes into contact with air, it will gradually become turbid due to oxidation and precipitation of sulfur. It can burn in the air to produce a blue flame and generate SO2 and H2O. When there is insufficient air, it generates S and H2O.