Naatriumsulfiid

Naatriumsulfiid is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na2S. It is the sodium salt of hydrogen sulfide. In its pure form, naatriumsulfiid is a colorless solid, but it is often encountered in commerce as a hydrate, typically Na2S·9H2O, which has a yellow to brown appearance due to impurities. This hydrated form is known as hydrated sodium sulfide or simply sodium sulfide crystals.

Naatriumsulfiid is highly soluble in water, forming alkaline solutions due to hydrolysis. It reacts with acids to release hydrogen sulfide gas, which is toxic and has a characteristic rotten egg smell. This compound is a strong reducing agent.

Industrially, naatriumsulfiid is produced by several methods, including the reduction of sodium sulfate with carbon at high temperatures or by reacting hydrogen sulfide with sodium hydroxide. Its primary uses are in the manufacturing of sulfur dyes for textiles, as a dehairing agent in the leather industry, and in ore flotation processes to separate minerals. It is also employed in water treatment and as a chemical intermediate.

Due to its corrosive nature and the release of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas upon acidification, naatriumsulfiid should be handled with appropriate safety precautions. Contact with skin and eyes should be avoided, and it must be stored away from acids.