Halides of Sulphur

Sulphur hexaflouride (SF6) and Sulfur tetrafluoride (SF4)


Sulphur forms a number of halides in which the oxidation state of sulphur are +1, +2, +4 and +6. The well known halides are

S₂X₂ (X=F,Cl,Br or I) = oxidation state of S is +1

SX₂ (X=F or Cl) = oxidation state of S is +2


Sulphur hexaflouride (SF6)


The oxidation state of Sulphur (s) in Sulphur hexaflouride (SF₆) is +6.
Sulphur hexaflouride (SF6) is prepared by direct combination of Sulphur (S) and Flourine (F).

1/8 S₈  +  3F₂  ----------->  SF₆

Sulphur hexaflouride (SF₆) has octahedral shape. Sulphur atom is Sp³d² hybridised.



Sulfur tetrafluoride (SF4)

Sulfur tetrafluoride (SF4) is prepared by fluorination of SCl₂ with NaF

3SCl₂  +  4 NaF  ------------>  S₂Cl₂  +  SF₄  +  4 NaCl

Sulphur atom is  Sp³d hybridized in SF₄ and possess triagonal bipyramidal geometry with one corner is occupied by a lone pair of electrons.



Sulfur dichloride (SCl2)


Sulfur dichloride (SCl₂) is formed by saturating S₂l₂ with chlorine at ordinary temperature.

S₂Cl₂  +  Cl₂  ------------->  2SCl₂

In Sulfur dichloride (SCl₂), sulphur atom is Sp³ hybridised and has angular structure.


Sulphur monochloride (S2Cl2)


Sulphur monochloride (S₂Cl₂) is also prepared by direct combination of liquid sulphur and chlorine.

1/4 S₈  +  Cl₂  ---------->  S₂Cl₂

The electron diffraction studies have shown a non planer structure for S₂Cl₂ which is similar to that of H₂O₂.