The polarity of H2S and its uses

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless molecule with a chemical formula H₂S. It is poisonous and has a foul odor like a rotten egg. The compound hydrogen sulphide has the chemical formula H₂S . Hydrogen sulphide is a covalent molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms bound to a sulphur atom in the middle. Hydrogen sulphide, like water ( H₂O ), is a hydrogen chalcogenide, which is a chemical made up of hydrogen and a group 16 element (oxygen, sulphur, selenium, and tellurium).

The polarity of H₂S

So, is H₂S polar or nonpolar? H₂S is a slightly polar molecule because of its bent shaped geometrical structure and the small difference between the electronegativity of Hydrogen(2.2) and Sulfur(2.58) that results in a non zero dipole moment.

Other properties of H₂S are:

• It easily reacts with metal ions to result in metal sulfides.

• It is dangerous and toxic, especially for oxygen inhalers.

• Being a corrosive, it destructs metals like copper turning into green in color after the reaction.

It was discovered in the year 177 by a chemist named Carl Wilhelm Scheele. This gas is produced by human bodies and we uses it as a signaling molecule.

How to determine the polarity of H₂S？

To determine the polarity of any molecule like H₂S, it is equally important to find out its outside atoms, and shape.

There are two lone pairs of electrons on the central atom Sulfur that causes the H-S bond to be in a bent shape. Hence, the molecule has an odd distribution of atoms around the central atom making it non-symmetrical.

Because of its bent shape, the dipole moment is created between the H-S bonds. The greater the separation of charges more is the dipole moment between the atoms. Hence, Sulfur attracts more electrons and gains a partial negative charge.

Hydrogen is a partial positive charge as it is now left with fewer positive charges.

Since the dipole moment has a direction and magnitude, it is a vector quantity. It directs towards more electronegative atom.

When the arrows do not cancel out each other, the molecule becomes polar.

Uses of H₂S

• It is used to produce hydrogen and sulfuric acid.

• It is widely used industrially to produce different varieties of inorganic compounds.

• It is used for manufacturing pesticides for crops on a larger scale.

• Hydrogen sulfide has its great use as heavy water used in nuclear power plants.