Purification of phosphorus decasulfide (P4S10)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new and simple purification process of phosphorus decasulfide (P.sub.4S.sub.10), also called phosphorus pentasulfide (P.sub.2S.sub.5), which is used as thionating agent for the syntheses of various organic compounds, particularly the organic compounds having sulfur heteroatom(s).

Claims

1. A method for purification of diphosphorus pentasulfide (P.sub.2S.sub.5), also called tetraphosphorus decasulfide (P.sub.4S.sub.10), comprising the following steps: admixing the tetraphosphorus decasulfide into an organic solvent to obtain a first mixture; dropwise adding water to the first mixture until a pale yellow, gray or white solution is obtained; mixing the solution after the step of dropwise adding water is completed to obtain a second mixture; filtering solid compounds from the second mixture; drying the solid compounds, wherein the tetraphosphorus decasulfide is admixed into the organic solvent using a round bottom flask.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene, benzene, xylene, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dibromobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dichloroethane, hexane, heptane, pentane, petroleum ether, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, dioxane, pyridine, acetonitrile, acetone, triethylene amine, dimethyl formamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of dropwise adding water into the first mixture is performed at a temperature between 90 C. and a boiling point of the organic solvent.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of dropwise adding water into the first mixture is performed at room temperature.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the step of mixing the solution is performed at a temperature between 90 C. and a boiling point of the organic solvent.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of filtering solid compounds from the second mixture comprises vacuum filtration.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of drying the solid compounds is performed at atmospheric pressure.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of drying the solid compounds is performed under vacuum.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) The aim of the present invention is to provide a simple purification process of phosphorus decasulfide (P.sub.4S.sub.10). The process involves removal of impurities in P.sub.4S.sub.10 by taking advantage of rapid reactions of impurities with water compare with P.sub.4S.sub.10. This process is the best method available for the purification of P.sub.4S.sub.10.

(2) Detailed Description of the Invention The method for purifying diphosphorus pentasulfide (P.sub.2S.sub.5), also called tetraphosphorus decasulfide (P.sub.4S.sub.10) comprises the following steps; Mixing tetraphosphorus decasulfide into an organic solvent by addition, Dropwise addition of water into the mixture of tetraphosphorus decasulfide and the organic solvent until the color of the mixture becomes light yellow, gray or white, Mixing the mixture after the completion of water addition, Filtering out the solid compounds in the mixed solution, Drying the solid obtained by filtration.

(3) In the method subject to the invention, first tetraphosphorus decasulfide is admixed into an organic solvent. For the preferred realization of the invention, the addition operation is performed in a round bottom flask. For various applications of the invention, any organic solvents such as toluene, benzene, xylene, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dibromobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dichloroethane, hexane, heptane, pentane, petroleum ether, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, dioxane, pyridine, acetonitrile, acetone, triethyl amine, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide can be used. In other applications of the invention, at this step the amount of tetraphosphorus decasulfide used can range from milligram to tone, while the amounts of organic solvents can be used within the range of milliliter to million liters.

(4) Subsequently within method, water is drop wise added into the mixture of tetraphosphorus decasulfide and organic solvent until a pale yellow, gray or white color is reached. The volume of the added water can range from milliliter to million liters levels in different applications of the method. The step of adding water can be performed between the temperatures of 90 (minus ninety) C. and the boiling point of the organic solvent employed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of adding water is carried out at room temperature.

(5) After the step of water addition, at a temperature between 90 (minus ninety) C. and the boiling point of the organic solvent used, the mixture is stirred for about the desired duration (in a range of a few seconds up to hours) and the solid compounds in the stirred mixture are filtered. Filtration process is performed either as simple filtration or as vacuum filtration in various applications of the method.

(6) Within the method, the solid compound filtered out is dried and pure tetraphosphorus decasulfide is obtained. Drying step of the present invention is achieved under either the atmospheric pressure or vacuum in different applications.

(7) Using the method, it is possible to develop a wide variety of applications and the invention is not limited to the examples described herein and is essentially subject to the claims mentioned.