Note 16 — Chapter XX · SULPHUR, SELENIUM, AND TELLURIUM

Sulphuretted hydrogen is still more soluble in alcohol than in water; one volume at the ordinary temperature dissolves as much as eight volumes of the gas. The solutions in water and alcohol undergo change, especially in open vessels, owing to the fact that the water and alcohol dissolve oxygen from the atmosphere, which, acting on the sulphuretted hydrogen, forms water and sulphur. The solution may be so altered in this manner that every trace of sulphuretted hydrogen disappears. Solutions of sulphuretted hydrogen in glycerine change much more slowly, and may therefore be kept for a long time as reagents. De Forcrand obtained a hydrate, H2S,16H2O, resembling the hydrates given by many gases.