CARBON DISUL'PHIDE, or llist:LPHIDE (carbon + disulphide, from Uk. St, di-, double -1- sulphide, end bisulphidc, from Lat. bi-. double sulphide). CS,. An unstable eomponnd of and sulphur, analogous to carbon dioxide, whose formula is CO,. It may be prepared by passing, the vapors of sulphur over charcoal kept at a red heat. On a large scale it is prepared as follows: A east iron cylinder containing char coal is placed in a furnace and heated to the re quired temperature. The cylinder is provided with two tubes, through one of which sulphur vapors or pieces of sulphur are introduced, while the other serves as an exit for the vapors of car bon disulphide, which are liquefied in a suit able condenser. Pure carbon disulphide is a heavy colorless liquid of a rather pleasant enteric odor; the ordinary preparations, however, have a most sickening smell. owing to the presence of impn•ities. The gravity of the purified compound at 0° C. is 1.203. It has a high re fracting In m(•1' and mixes in all proportions With absolute alcohol, ether, hydrocarbons, and other organic liquids. It is an excellent solvent for many substanees, such as sulphur, phosphorus, india-rubber, gulta-pereha, the resins, fats, etc.
\Vater does not mix with it, and alcohol contain ing a considerable amount of water it only to a limited extent. The boiling-point of carbon disulphide is 41;° ('. At high temperatures it into its constituents, carbon and sulphur. With the sulphides of the alkali metals in aqueous solution it forms compounds analo gous to the carbonates and called thiocarbo mites: the formula of potassium thiocarbonate is that of potassium carbonate being 1:,,C(1,. The thioearbonates are used for destroy ing vermin. Carbon disulphide is largely used as a solvent, in preparing fats, extracting vege table oils, etc. It may also be employed for the purpose of producing low temperatures; if evap orated rapidly, as by passing a current of dry air through it, its temperature is reduced as low as 00' below zero Centigrade. Owing to high re fracting power. it is employed for scientific pur poses in optics. Mixed with nitric oxide its vapors give a bright bluish-white flame which has been employed for photographic purposes.