Iron(II) sulfide or ferrous sulfide (Br.E. sulphide) is one of a family of chemical compounds and minerals with the approximate formulaFeS. Iron sulfides are often iron-deficient non-stoichiometric. All are black, water-insoluble solids.
Preparation and structure
FeS can be obtained by the heating of iron and sulfur:[1]
Fe + S → FeS
FeS adopts the nickel arsenide structure, featuring octahedral Fe centers and trigonal prismatic sulfide sites.
As organic matter decays under low-oxygen (or hypoxic) conditions such as in swamps or dead zones of lakes and oceans, sulfate-reducing bacteria reduce various sulfates present in the water, producing hydrogen sulfide. Some of the hydrogen sulfide will react with metal ions in the water or solid to produce iron or metal sulfides, which are not water-soluble. These metal sulfides, such as iron(II) sulfide, are often black or brown, leading to the color of sludge.
When eggs are cooked for a long time, the yolk's surface may turn green. This color change is due to iron(II) sulfide, which forms as iron from the yolk reacts with hydrogen sulfide released from the egg white by the heat.[3] This reaction occurs more rapidly in older eggs as the whites are more alkaline.[4]
