Allotrophic forms of sulphur

Allotrophic forms of sulphur

Sulphur exists in crystalline as well as amorphous allotrophic forms. The crystalline form includes rhombic sulphur (α sulphur) and monoclinic sulphur (β sulphur). Amorphous allotropic form includes plastic sulphur (γ sulphur), milk of sulphur and colloidal sulphur.

Rhombic sulphur also known as α sulphur, is the only thermodynamically stable allotropic form at ordinary temperature and pressure. The crystals have a characteristic yellow colour and composed of S₈ molecules. When heated slowly above 96 ⁰C, it converts into monoclinic sulphur. Upon cooling below 96 ⁰C the β form converts back to α form. Monoclinic sulphur also contains S₈ molecules in addition to small amount of S₆ molecules. It exists as a long needle like prism and is also called as prismatic sulphur. It is stable between 96 ⁰ - 119 ⁰C and slowly changes into rhombic sulphur.

When molten sulphur is poured into cold water a yellow rubbery ribbon of plastic sulphur is produced. They are very soft and can be stretched easily. On standing (cooling slowly) it slowly becomes hard and changes to stable rhombic sulphur.

Sulphur also exists in liquid and gaseous states. At around 140 ⁰C the monoclinic sulphur melts to form mobile pale yellow liquid called λ sulphur. The vapour over the liquid sulphur consists of 90 % of S₈, S₇ & S₆ and small amount of mixture of S₂, S₃, S₄, S₅ molecules.