Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Mystery compound burning at ~400 degrees?

Rhodanide - 6-3-2018 at 12:01

I remember about a year or two ago, I was randomly researching chemicals on Wikipedia. I distinctly remember finding a page which described a certain compound which was either pyrophoric or flammable, which would burn with a flame cool enough so that you could slowly run your hand through it without being immediately burned. If I remember correctly, it contained Sulfur, and maybe Fluorine. It wasn't Organic, it was an Inorganic compound. Does this trigger anyone's knowledge of what the heck it could be? I've looked at a ton of Wikipedia pages but I can't find the one I saw that time. Any thoughts?

Edit: I don't remember if the temperature of the flame was in C or F. I just remember that it said the researchers of the compound weren't burned by the flame!

[Edited on 3-6-2018 by Rhodanide]

Metacelsus - 6-3-2018 at 13:03

Sounds like carbon disulfide (CS2).

symboom - 6-3-2018 at 13:05

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_flame
Except it was organic
Methanol has no color when it burns a sort of invisible flame

mix of carbon disulfide and carbon tetrachloride (appr. 1:1 by volume) burns with a fairly cool flame.



In the past, magicians sometimes used this mix. They spilt it on their skin and lit the mix. The flames did not burn them, although they still feel quite hot. But with some motion the heat is bearable.



Nowadays, this mix is not used anymore. Both CS2 and CCl4 are toxic and the latter has a nasty long-term effect, it is a potent carcinogen. Using CS2 only is too dangerous. It burns with a much hotter flame and cannot be used without severe burns

[Edited on 6-3-2018 by symboom]

Rhodanide - 7-3-2018 at 11:14

Quote: Originally posted by symboom  
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_flame
Except it was organic
Methanol has no color when it burns a sort of invisible flame

mix of carbon disulfide and carbon tetrachloride (appr. 1:1 by volume) burns with a fairly cool flame.



In the past, magicians sometimes used this mix. They spilt it on their skin and lit the mix. The flames did not burn them, although they still feel quite hot. But with some motion the heat is bearable.



Nowadays, this mix is not used anymore. Both CS2 and CCl4 are toxic and the latter has a nasty long-term effect, it is a potent carcinogen. Using CS2 only is too dangerous. It burns with a much hotter flame and cannot be used without severe burns

[Edited on 6-3-2018 by symboom]



I'm positive that it wasn't a mix. It was one compound, and was a gas. Of this I am sure. No carbon from what I can remember.

symboom - 7-3-2018 at 12:23

Not carbon containing A gas hydrogen is the only one I can think of there is a video of hydrogen bubbles burning on a guys hand. Thats my last guess
Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable gas
Probably to hot but
ammonia gas
Phosphine
Silane

Rhodanide - 12-4-2018 at 09:35

BINGO! I FOUND IT! It's called Thiophosphoryl Fluoride, formula PSF3. To quote from the Wiki page, "It spontaneously ignites in air and burns with a cool flame. The discoverers were able to have flames around their hands without discomfort, and called it "probably one of the coldest flames known."

Here's the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiophosphoryl_fluoride

symboom - 12-4-2018 at 17:35

Also on this page sulfur phosphide and HF forms the interesting compound gas and ignites
Sulfur phosphide i think is in matches

Loptr - 12-4-2018 at 17:48

I hope they used PPE
Quote:

On burning SO2 and P2O5 are produced

fusso - 15-4-2018 at 11:33

Quote: Originally posted by Loptr  
I hope they used PPE

Quote:

On burning SO2 and P2O5 are produced


If so where did the F go?

symboom - 15-4-2018 at 13:17

PPE
Personal protection equipment

[Edited on 15-4-2018 by symboom]