The document provides a comprehensive overview of sulphur and its compounds, including their physical and chemical properties, preparation methods, and medicinal uses. It specifically discusses sublimed sulphur, precipitated sulphur, and selenium sulphide, detailing their characteristics, tests for purity, and storage recommendations. Additionally, it highlights their applications in dermatological treatments and as antiseptics.

1. SULPHUR & ITS COMPOUNDS
G.Revathi, M.Pharm.,
Assistant Professor
dept. of Pharmaceutical
chemistry
SVCP

2. CONTENT
Sublimed sulphur
precipitated sulphur
Selenium sulphide

3. SULPHUR
Sulphur occurs in both free state and combination, mainly as sulphates and sulphides
Free elementary form found in variety of allotropic forms in volcanic regions of sicily, japan,
Russia etc.,
Combined state of sulphur occurs as sulphates of;
 CaSO4 (gypsum salt)
 MgSO4 (Epsom salt)
 PbS (galena) etc.,
Traces of sulphur  occurs in volcanic gases, eggs, proteins, garlic, onions, mustard etc.,

4. • Molecular formula: S
• Molecular weight: 32 gm
• Preparation:
1. Frasch process:
In Louisiana sulphur occurs at a depth of 160 to 1500 metres
Holes are bored
a pipe is driven through quick sand down to sulphur beds
Superheated water and hot air sent through pipes
Sulphur water emulsion is driven which is purified

5. 2.Sicilian process:
Sulphur containg clay, limestone and other impurities
Heated in sloppy kilns
Melted sulphur flows down the slope where it solidifies
Crude sulphur is purified by distillation in large iron retorts
Sulphur vapours are condensed in walls to form yellow powders ( flowers)
When temp raised to 120oC
Condensate the liquid sulphur  run into cylindrical moulds

6. • Molecular formula: S
• Molecular weight: 32 g
Sicilian Process

7. • Physical Properties:
Pale yellow amorphous or crystalline powder,
Odourless
Insoluble in water and sparingly soluble in alcohol and ether
• Chemical Properties:
1. Sulphur burns in air at 2500C  yields pale blue flame with sulphur dioxide and
sulphur trioxide.
3S + 4O2  SO2 + 2SO3
2. Sulphur reduced to hot concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids.
6HNO3 + S  H2SO4 + 6NO2 + 2H2O

8. • Test for Purity:
Arsenic
Acidity
Ash
Karl-fischer test with water
• Incompatibilty and storage:
• Incompatible to topical mercurial compounds.
• Stored in a well-closed container

9. 1. SUBLIMED SULPHUR
Synonym: Flowers of Sulphur
 Preparation:
1. It is prepared by heating any kind of sulphur and condensing the vapour.
2. When sulphur condenses and falls in the form of a yellow powder in the iron
retorts during purification by distillation called flowers of sulphur or sublimed
sulphur

10. Properties
1. Rhombic crystals and amorphous or Fine crystalline powder.
2. It has faint characteristic odour but tasteless.
3. It is insoluble in water and alcohol
4. Sparingly soluble in olive oil
Test for Purity:
Acidity
Water
Residue on ignition
Insoluble matter in carbon disulphide
SUBLIMED SULPHUR

11. Test for Identification:
It burns in air to sulphur dioxide  recognized by characteristic odour
Storage :
Preserved in a well-closed container
Assay:
Back titration
SUBLIMED SULPHUR

12.  Use:
 Mild Antiseptic and scabicide
 Keratolytic and parasiticide
 Used as an dermatological agent in the form of lotions, ointments , creams for psoriasis, ringworms,
lupus erythematosus, acne, dandruff and scabies.
 when it taken orally sulphur converts into alkali sulphides in small intestine, Produces irritant
action as mild laxative effect
SUBLIMED SULPHUR

13. 2. Precipitated sulphur
Milk of sulphur
Molecular formula : S
Molecular weight: 32 gm
Preparation:
1. Small Scale:
Prepared by acidifying sodium thiosulphate solution with hydrochloric acid.
The unstable thiosulphuric acid is liberated, gets rapidly decomposed to give
precipitated sulphur.
Na2S2O3 + 2 HCl → H2S2O3 + 2 NaCl
H2S2O3→ S + SO2 + H2O

14. 2. Industrial Method:
Prepared by heating together sublimed sulphur and milk of lime for an hour.
3 Ca (OH)2 + 12S → 2 CaS5 + CaS2O + H2O
(calcium Penta sulphide)
CaS5 + 2 HCl → CaCl2 + H2S + 4S
2. Precipitated sulphur

15. Properties:
Greyish yellow or pale greenish yellown soft powder
Amorphous and tasteless
Odourless
Insoluble in water and alcohol
Completely soluble in carbon disulphide
2. Precipitated sulphur

16. Test for Purity:
Acidity
Water
Residue on ignition
Insoluble matter in carbon disulphide
2. Precipitated sulphur

17. Test for Identification:
It burns in air to sulphur dioxide  recognized by characteristic odour
Storage :
Preserved in a well-closed container
Assay:
Back titration
2. Precipitated sulphur

18.  Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Use:
1. Lotions of precipitated sulphur with lead acetate used to darken the greyish hair.
2. Mild Antiseptic and scabicide
3. Scabicidal effect due to the conversion of H2S into parathionic acid.
4. Keratolytic and parasiticide
5. Dermatological agent in the form of lotions, ointments , creams for psoriasis, ringworms, lupus erythematosus,
acne, dandruff and scabies.
6. when it taken orally sulphur converts into alkali sulphides in small intestine, Produces irritant action as mild
laxative effect.
2. Precipitated sulphur

19. 3.Selenium sulphide
Molecular formula : SeS2
Molecular weight: 143 gm
Standard: contains 52 -55 % of Se
Preparation:
Selenium sulphide (selsun) is prepared by adding selenious acid solution to a
solution of NH4Cl saturated with hydrogen sulphide.
Passage of gas continued throughout the Rxn process
NH4Cl  acts as a coagulant (solid  semi-solid mass)
Precipitated SeS2 – filtered, washed and dried

20. It is prepared by passing hydrogen sulphide gas into selenious acid.
H2SeO3 + 2H2S → SeS2 + 3H2O
Selenious acid
Test for Identification:
1. It dissolves in nitric acid and form selenious and sulphuric acid.
SeS2 + 16 HNO3→ H2SeO3 + 2H2SO4 + 16NO2 + 5 H2O
2. Urea added to excess of nitric acid by forming urea nitrate
2HNO3 + H2NCONH2  CO2 + 2N2 + 3H2O
3. HI is added  yields iodine and Se  orange colour which rapidly darkens
H2SeO3 + 4HI  2 I2 + Se + 3H2O
3.Selenium sulphide

21.  Properties:
1. It is Red-orange powder having faint sulphide odour.
2. Insoluble in water, alcohol and organic solvents.
3. It dissolves in nitric acid and form selenious and sulphuric acid.
SeS2 + 16 HNO3→ H2SeO3 + 2H2SO4 + 16NO2 + 5 H2O
Test for Purity:
Residue on ignition
Soluble selenium compounds
Assay:
Iodometric titration
3.Selenium sulphide

22. • Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Uses:
Anti dandruff
Anti-fungal and anti-seborrhoeic activities
Used in shampoo in the treatment if dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis of the
scalp
As a lotion to cure pityriasis vesicolor.
3.Selenium sulphide

23. References:
Inorganic
chemistry
by
Paradkar
Inorganic
chemistry
by
B.Roache
Pharmaceutical
Inorganic
chemistry
Mohammed
Ali

24. Thank You!!!!!!
Any Questions ? Mail to Revathi@svcppondy.ac.in