On the crystalline form of nitrogen sulphide

Abstract

In the course of an investigation of the atomic weight of nitrogen Mr. F. P. Burt, of University College, London, prepared by the following process crystals of nitrogen sulphide, N4S4, surpassing in purity any that had been previously obtained. The nitrogen sulphide was recrystallized from benzene, washed with carbon disulphide to remove as much sulphur as possible, and finally washed with a little cold benzene. The product was powdered on a porous tile, and kept in a desiccator with calcium chloride and cocoa-nut charcoal until it no longer smelt of benzene. It was then sublimed in vacuo over silver gauze heated to 100° C. in a steam-jacket, by which means the absence of liquid or gaseous inclusions and of free sulphur in the sublimate was assured.