phosphorus heptasulfide

noun

phosphorus hep·​ta·​sulfide

-¦heptə+

: a yellow crystalline compound P₄S₇ made by heating a mixture of phosphorus and sulfur in a ratio of about 4 to 7 equivalents, regarded formerly as a trisulfide, and used chiefly in the synthesis of organic sulfur compounds (as thiophene); tetra-phosphorus heptasulfide

Word History

Etymology

heptasulfide from hepta- + sulfide

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