Description
Liver of sulfur, also known as Potash Sulfurated, is a poorly defined mixture of potassium sulfide, potassium polysulfide, potassium thiosulfate, and probably potassium bisulfide. Liver of sulfur is mainly used in metalworking to form a patina, turning copper alloys brown or black. Typically liver of sulfur comes in a dry rock form that must be broken into smaller pieces and dissolved in hot water for use. It has been historically used in pharmaceutical preparations such as “white lotion” for the treatment of skin diseases. At one time sulfurated potash was used to combat arthritis. However, it is no longer favored for medical purposes because sulfides and polysulfides are toxic. It can also used in the preparation of N-substituted thionamides such as (+)-(S)-thion-α-methylbutyramide, (+)-(S)-(thionhydratropyl) morpholine and (+)-(S)-N-methylthion-α-methylbutyramide.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_of_sulfur
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sial/253049?lang=en®ion=US
https://www.alfa.com/en/catalog/041550/
https://www.morebooks.de/store/us/book/liver-of-sulfur/isbn/978-613-0-95829-9
Description
Potassium sulfide, is a binary salt. It is a red or yellow-red crystalline mass or fused solid. It is deliquescent in air, which means it absorbs water from the air, and it is also soluble in water. Potassium sulfide is a dangerous fire risk and may ignite spontaneously. It is explosive in the form of dust and powder. It decomposes at 1562°F (850°C) and melts at 1674°F (912°C). The specific gravity is 1.74, which is heavier than air. The four-digit UN identification number is 1382. The NFPA 704 designation is health 3, flammability 1, and reactivity 0. Potassium sulfide is used primarily in analytical chemistry and medicine.
Chemical Properties
brownish to yellow solid with a faint smell of
Uses
Potash is used in black/brown patina (copper, brass, bronze). Its use include decorative color effects on copper, brass, bronze and nickel. Sulfurated potash has been used in the treatment of acne and other skin disorders usually in the form of a lotion with zinc sulfate.
Application
Agriculture: Sulfurated potash is used as a fertilizer to improve crop yields. It is also used to control pests and diseases.
Photography: Sulfurated potash is used in the production of black and white photographic paper. It is also used in the development of photographic film.
Rubber: Sulfurated potash is used in the production of rubber. It helps to improve the strength and durability of rubber products.
Dyes: Sulfurated potash is used in the production of dyes. It helps to improve the colorfastness of dyed fabrics.
Patination: Sulfurated potash is used by artists and metalworkers to create an aged, antique patina on copper, brass, bronze and nickel. It can be used to create a variety of colors, including black, brown, green, and blue.
Definition
A
mixture composed chiefly of potassium polysul-
fides and potassium thiosulfate, containing not less
than 12.8% sulfur in combination as sulfide.
