Sodium sulfide

Sodium sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula Na₂S, or more commonly its hydrate Na₂S·9H₂O. Both are colorless water-soluble salts that give strongly alkaline solutions. When exposed to moist air, Na₂S and its hydrates emit hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. Some commercial samples are specified as Na₂S·xH₂O, where a weight percentage of Na₂S is specified. Commonly available grades have around 60% Na₂S by weight, which means that x is around 3. Such technical grades of sodium sulfide have a yellow appearance owing to the presence of polysulfides. These grades of sodium sulfide are marketed as 'sodium sulfide flakes'. Although the solid is yellow, solutions of it are colorless.