16.0.0 SULPHUR AND ITS COMPOUNDS (25 LESSONS)

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16.1.0 Specific Objectives

16.2.1 Occurrence and extraction of Sulphur

• Extraction by Frasch process
• Allotropes of sulphur
• Physical and chemical properties of sulphur
• Uses of sulphur

16.2.2  Sulphur(1V) oxide (sulphur dioxide)

• Preparation (relate method of collection to properties of the gas
• Properties (acid character, bleaching action, reducing action e.g. test with potassium chromate(Vl) and combination with oxygen to form sulphur(Vl) oxide (Sulphur trioxide). oxidizing action e.g. with magnesium and hydrogen sulphide
• Test for sulphate and sulphite ions
• Uses of sulphur(IV) oxide

16.2.3 Manufacture of Sulphuric acid

• Contact process (state optimum conditions only) e.g. Kel Chemical Ltd in Thika, and East Africa Heavy Chemicals, Webuye
• Pollution control in contact process

16.2.4 Properties of Sulphuric acid

• Reaction of concentrated sulphuric acid as;

-         dehydrating agent (sucrose, ethanol, hydrated copper(1I) sulphate)

-         oxidizing agent (copper, zinc, sulphur and carbon)

-         displacement reaction (sodium chloride solid, potassium nitrate solid)

• Reactions of dilute sulphuric acid with: metals, carbonates, metal hydroxides and metal oxides

16.2.5 Hydrogen sulphide

• Preparation and physical properties
• Chemical properties (reducing action)

Note: Only theoretical treatment is required

16.2.6 Pollution of atmosphere by compounds of sulphur (hydrogen sulphide and oxides of sulphur)