Quick Search
Dithallium sulfate (Tl2SO4) or thallous sulfate is the sulfate salt of thallium in the common +1 oxidation state, as indicated by the Roman numeral I.
Dithallium sulfate is often referred to as simply thallium sulfate.
CAS No.7446-18-6
Chemical Name:THALLIUM(I) SULFATE
CBNumber:CB4457341
Molecular Formula:O4STl2
Formula Weight:504.83
Synonyms: C.F.S., CSF-Giftweizen, Dithallium(1+) sulfate, dithallium(1+)sulfate, Eccothal, M 7-Giftkoerner, m7-giftkoerner, Rattengiftkonserve
Description:
Dithallium sulfate (Tl₂SO₄) is a white, odorless, highly toxic inorganic thallium(I) salt.
Dithallium sulfate is a crystalline or powdered solid that is soluble in water and has a melting point of approximately 632 °C.
Description
Dithallium sulfate, also known as thallium(I) sulfate or thallous sulfate, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Tl₂SO₄ and a molecular weight of approximately 504.83 g/mol.
Dithallium sulfate is typically encountered as a white, odorless crystalline solid or dense powder.
The compound has a density of approximately 6.77 g/cm³ and a melting point of about 632 °C.
Dithallium sulfate is soluble in water, with its solubility increasing as temperature rises.
Property
Melting point: 632 °C (lit.)
Boiling point: decomposes [STR93]
Density: 6.77 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Refractive index: 1.860
Storage temp.: Poison room
Solubility: Water (Slightly)
Form: Crystals or Powder
Specific Gravity: 6.77
Color: White to off-white
Water Solubility: Solubility in water increases with temperature; soluble in water
Merck: 14,9269
InChI: 1S/H2O4S.2Tl/c1-5(2,3)4;;/h(H2,1,2,3,4);;/q;2*+1/p-2
InChIKey: YTQVHRVITVLIRD-UHFFFAOYSA-L
Uses and Safety
Applications: Historically used as a potent rodenticide and insecticide for rats, mice, and ants.
Regulatory Status: Banned or heavily restricted for consumer pesticide use in many regions, including the U.S. due to extreme cumulative toxicity.
Safety Handling: Classified strictly as a high-hazard poison requiring specialized storage and containment.
Uses
During the last two centuries, Tl2SO4 had been used for various medical treatments but was abandoned.
In the later 1900s Dithallium sulfate found use mainly for rodenticides.
These applications were prohibited in 1975 in the US due to the nonselective nature of its toxicity.
Thallium(I) sulfate inhibits the growth of plants by preventing germination.
Tl2SO4 is mostly used today as a source of Tl+ in the research laboratory.
Dithallium sulfate is a precursor to thallium(I) sulfide (Tl2S), which exhibits high electrical conductivity when exposed to infrared light.
Uses
Historically, dithallium sulfate was used primarily as a rodenticide and insecticide.
Dithallium sulfate was employed for the control of rats, mice, moles, squirrels, ants, and other pests.
Dithallium sulfate was particularly effective because thallium sulfate is odorless and relatively tasteless.
However, its extreme toxicity has resulted in substantial restrictions and discontinuation of many of these applications.
Dithallium sulfate is no longer registered as a pesticide in the United States.
Uses
Historically used as a rodenticide and insecticide, particularly for rats, mice, and ants.
Dithallium sulfate has also been used in analytical chemistry and ozonometry.
Due to its severe toxicity, pesticide applications are now prohibited or highly restricted in many countries.
Other historical and technical applications include:
Analytical chemistry: used as a reagent in certain chemical analyses, including tests involving iodine in the presence of chlorine.
Ozonometry: used in analytical procedures for the determination of ozone.
Medical/diagnostic applications: historical sources report specialized use in medical diagnostic testing.
Pest control: formerly used in formulations for rodent and ant control, although such applications are now heavily restricted or prohibited in many jurisdictions.
Short version
Preparation
Dithallium sulfate is produced by the reaction of thallium metal with sulfuric acid followed by crystallization.
Structure
Tl2SO4 adopts the same structure as K2SO4.
In aqueous solution, the thallium(I) cations and the sulfate anions are separated and highly solvated.
Dithallium sulfate crystals have a C2 symmetry.
Dithallium sulfate is a highly toxic thallium compound.
Exposure can occur through ingestion or skin absorption, and prolonged or repeated exposure can cause serious systemic effects.
Dithallium sulfate is also considered hazardous to aquatic organisms and may cause long-lasting environmental effects.
