Sulfur hexafluoride is a gas offered in medical ar as check gas in respiratory mechanism due the is inert in body. It is greatly used as electric insulator. In contrast with its multiple applications, sulfur hexafluoride is a potent greenhouse gas


Formula and also structure: The sulfur hexafluoride chemistry formula is SF6 and its molar massive is 146.00554 g mol-1. The framework of sulfur hexafluoride is octahedron, through 6 fluorine atoms bound to a main sulfur atom. Each S-F bond has actually a 90º angle. Its chemical structure have the right to be composed as below, in the usual representations offered for organic molecules.

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Occurrence: Sulfur hexafluoride gas and also the various other SxFy gases, were no freely- developed by nature. However, in these days this are discovered in the atmosphere as part of greenhouse gases.

Preparation: Sulfur hexafluoride is synthesized by expositing element sulfur (crystal hard S8) and also elemental fluorine (gas F2) in ~ 300 ºC. ~ the reaction finishes, the SF6 is purified by heater or alkali washing come remove other SxFy gases.

1/8S8 + 3F2 → SF6

Physical properties: sulfur hexafluoride is a colorless, tasteless and also odorless gas. SF6 is non-flammable and it is six times heavier 보다 air, its thickness is 6.602 g mL-1. Its boiling suggest is -64 ºC. It is slightly dissolve in water and also other polar solvents. Sulfur hexafluoride is shipped as a liquefied gas.

Chemical properties: In spite, sulfur hexafluoride has actually 6 fluorine atoms, which is the many electronegative atom in the periodic table, that is dipole moment is 0. The is because the octahedral geometry enable the cancelation of every dipoles linked to the six S-F bonds. In consequence, sulfur hexafluoride is a non-polar molecule the is simply slightly soluble in polar compounds. Other crucial fact around the chemistry the SF6, that is a an extremely stable compound, hence it cannot be fastened by other chemical compounds and also can be current in the setting for numerous decades, i m sorry is an environmental problem.

Uses: Sulfur hexafluoride is broadly used, together dielectric medium in the production of electrical equipment owe its high family member permittivity. The magnesium industry is the second major consumed the sulfur hexafluoride, wherein it works as a gas to fill spreading forms. Thus, SF6 has actually a selection of application in the medicine, where it is used in retinal surgeries to repair the vitreous chamber. Moreover, sulfur hexafluoride is injected as contrast agent for ultrasound imaging.

See more: What Occurs When Molecules Are Broken Apart In Respiration, Cellular Respiration

Health effects/safety hazards: sulfur hexafluoride is non-toxic, yet it could be dangerous as soon as inhaled big quantity the gas and also it deserve to lead to asphyxia. SF6 is the most potent greenhouse gas (gas responsible through the global warming) early out its long-time life and also its capacity to absorb or emit radiation in the atmosphere.