Arsenic trisulfide As2S3

As2S3 · CAS 1303-33-9 · monoclinic

Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) is an arsenic-sulfur chalcogenide glass that transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to a UCF/CREOL paper.

8 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Density

3.46 g/cm³

Melting point

310 °C

Acute toxicity

185 mg/kg

Recipe, share of the weight

  • As not statedArsenic
  • S not statedSulfur

Best for

Infrared windows and laser-written micro-structures, where the infrared window matters more than low toxicity

Weakest at

Toxicity: the arsenic content makes it a hazardous material to handle, store and dispose of

Risk at a glance

  • People None found. Toxic if swallowed or inhaled
  • If it fails High. Release of soluble arsenic oxides from aged samples
  • Corrosion Moderate. Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.

Quick facts: As2S3

Key properties of As2S3
PropertyValueBasis
Density3.43 to 3.46 g/cm³2 sourced values across conditions
Melting point300 to 310 °C2 sourced values across conditions

What is the density of Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3)?

Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) has a density of 3.43 to 3.46 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the melting point of Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3)?

Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) has a melting point of 300 to 310 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Infrared-transmitting glass for optics and sensors; Photoresist for laser-written three-dimensional micro-structures (laboratory use); Infrared seeker nose cone of the de Havilland Firestreak missile (historic).

Why it exists

Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) is a chalcogenide glass that transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to a UCF/CREOL paper. Designers use that window for infrared sensors and laser-written photonic structures. The same arsenic chemistry makes the material toxic, so every use comes with handling limits.

Where it's used

Infrared optics and sensors

A UCF/CREOL paper describes As2S3 as an infrared transparent material with direct applications in IR sensors, photonic waveguides and acousto-optics.

Photoresist for laser-written micro-structures

The same paper reports that As2S3 films can be patterned by laser like polymeric photoresists, and that woodpile photonic crystals, nanowires and waveguides have been made in it by direct laser writing.

A historic missile nose cone

Wikipedia records that arsenic trisulfide was used for the eight-sided conical nose over the infrared seeker of the de Havilland Firestreak missile.

Recipe

As2S3

Arsenic trisulfide is As2S3: two arsenic atoms and three sulfur atoms per formula unit. The UCF/CREOL paper describes thin films deposited by thermal evaporation of the bulk glass.

What As2S3 is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Arsenic As not stated The heavy element that gives the glass its high refractive index and its toxicity.
Sulfur S not stated The network former that bonds to arsenic and holds the glass together.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Infrared transmission

Transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to the UCF/CREOL paper.

Density

3.46 g/cm³

measured

AZoM lists a density of 3.46 g/cm3, with no temperature printed.

Melting point

310 °C

measured

AZoM lists a melting point of 310 °C.

Acute toxicity

185 mg/kg

measured

The supplier SDS gives an oral LD50 of 185 mg/kg in rats, which is why the powder is toxic if swallowed.

How it compares

Arsenic trisulfide is an infrared glass like the other optical materials in this group, but its chemistry is different: it is an arsenic sulfide, not an oxide. Wikipedia states that the glass form resists oxidation better than the crystalline form. The table sets its density, melting point and refractive index side by side.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details.

Benchmarks
MeasurementAs2S3
Capacity and energy
molar heat capacity116.3 J/mol K8
Thermal behavior and safety
melting point310 °C3
melting point300 °C4
heat of formation-169 kJ/mol10
Physical and electrical
Density3.46 g/cm³1
Density3.43 g/cm³2
mohs hardness1.8 -7
Other measurements
boiling point707 °C5
refractive index2.4 -6
standard molar entropy163.6 J/mol K9
lattice constant a11.49 Å11
lattice constant b9.59 Å12
lattice constant c4.25 Å13
molecular weight246 g/mol14
Shortest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, lower limit)> 620 nm15
Longest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, upper limit)< 11 µm16
Acute oral LD50, rat185 mg/kg17
Acute dermal LD50, rat936 mg/kg18

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Infrared windows and sensors that need transmission from about 620 nm to 11 µm (UCF/CREOL paper).
  • Laser-written micro-structures, where As2S3 films act as an inorganic photoresist (UCF/CREOL paper).

Watch out for

  • Toxic if swallowed or inhaled (SDS: H301 and H331). AZoM also lists H410, very toxic to aquatic life.
  • Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.
  • Sources disagree on the inhalation hazard code: H330 (fatal if inhaled) on the Apollo Scientific page, and H331 (toxic if inhaled) in the SDS and AZoM. Both are kept.

Arsenic trisulfide is a useful infrared glass for optics and laser-written micro-structures, but its arsenic content makes it a hazardous material that needs strict handling.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1DensityValue printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM articlebasis no temperature, form or test condition printed on the pageApollo Scientific also prints 3.43 g/cm3 (recorded below). Wikipedia's 3.43 g/cm3 is not recorded (see gaps).
2DensityValue printed in the physical data section of the Apollo Scientific product pagebasis product page for Apollo Scientific catalogue IN1166 (99.999%); no temperature printedDiffers from the AZoM value of 3.46 g/cm3 (see gaps).
3melting pointValue printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM articlebasis no condition printed on the page—
4melting pointValue printed in the physical data section of the Apollo Scientific product pagebasis product page for Apollo Scientific catalogue IN1166 (99.999%); no condition printedDiffers from the AZoM value of 310 °C (see gaps).
5boiling pointValue printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM articlebasis no condition printed on the page—
6refractive indexValue printed in the Optical Properties table of the AZoM articlewavelength not printed on the pageThe page gives no wavelength. Wikipedia gives 2.45 with no condition; the two disagree (see gaps).
7mohs hardnessValue printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM articlescale Mohs scale, a dimensionless ranking; no unit printed—
8molar heat capacityValue printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM articlebasis printed as Specific Heat Capacity in molar units; not converted to per kilogram—
9standard molar entropyValue printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM articlebasis standard molar entropy as printed; no reference temperature stated—
10heat of formationValue printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM articlebasis no reference state or temperature printed on the page—
11lattice constant aValue printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM articlecrystal system monoclinictemperature not printed on the page—
12lattice constant bValue printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM articlecrystal system monoclinictemperature not printed on the page—
13lattice constant cValue printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM articlecrystal system monoclinictemperature not printed on the page—
14molecular weightComputed value printed in the PubChem record for CID 4093503 (Molecular Weight section)basis computed by PubChem 2.1, not measured—
15Shortest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, lower limit)Value stated in the abstract and introduction of the UCF/CREOL paperbasis stated as approximately 620 nm in the papermaterial As2S3 glass as described in the paper; bulk and film not separated—
16Longest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, upper limit)Value stated in the abstract and introduction of the UCF/CREOL paperbasis stated as the upper end of the infrared transparency rangematerial As2S3 glass as described in the paper—
17Acute oral LD50, ratAcute oral LD50 printed in the toxicological information section of the supplier SDSspecies ratroute oralproduct arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder, per the supplier SDS—
18Acute dermal LD50, ratAcute dermal LD50 printed in the toxicological information section of the supplier SDSspecies ratroute dermalproduct arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder, per the supplier SDS—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Air, oxidation of the glass low The glass form resists oxidation better than the crystalline form, according to Wikipedia.1
Aged samples of the material moderate Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.2
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Air, oxidation of the glass Wikipedia states that the arsenic trisulfide glass is more resistant to oxidation than crystalline arsenic trisulfide, which minimizes toxicity concerns. The page gives no oxidation rate, humidity or temperature for this statement. basis qualitative statement only; no test conditions printed
2 Aged samples of the material Wikipedia states that aged samples can contain substantial amounts of arsenic oxides, which are soluble and therefore highly toxic. No ageing time, temperature or humidity is given. basis qualitative statement only; no ageing conditions printed

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The supplier SDS classifies the powder as toxic if swallowed or inhaled and prints carcinogen classifications for it.

Swallowed or inhaled
The supplier SDS lists H301 (toxic if swallowed) and H331 (toxic if inhaled). Apollo Scientific lists H330 (fatal if inhaled) for the same compound.
Cancer classification
The SDS prints IARC-1 (carcinogenic to humans) and ACGIH A1 (confirmed human carcinogen).
Dust and fume
AZoM advises avoiding breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray (P261).

If the material ages or burns

These statements are qualitative. The sources do not give ageing or heating conditions.

Aged samples
Wikipedia says aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which it calls highly toxic.
Fire
The SDS lists arsenic oxides, sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide as hazardous decomposition products.

Handling and storage

The exposure limits below are for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As), which the NIOSH pocket guide covers.

Exposure limits
The OSHA PEL is 0.010 mg/m3 as a TWA, and the NIOSH REL is Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 over 15 minutes.
Environment
Avoid release to the environment (P273) and send waste to an approved disposal plant (P501).

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Delamination from thermal expansion (chalcogenide glasses in general)moderate severityTemperature change on a bonded or constrained componentThe UCF/CREOL paper says a high coefficient of thermal expansion can cause component failure through delamination, so temperature control becomes necessary. The paper is about chalcogenide glasses in general and gives no expansion value for As2S3.
Release of soluble arsenic oxides from aged sampleshigh severityStorage or ageing of the materialSoluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic, can be present in aged samples.

Side effects on surrounding parts

Side effects on surrounding parts
AffectsEffect
People near a fire or during overheatingThe supplier SDS lists arsenic oxides, toxic metal oxide fume, sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide as hazardous decomposition products.

Handling and storage

  • AZoM precautions: avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray (P261); avoid release to the environment (P273); dispose of contents and container at an approved waste disposal plant (P501).
  • NIOSH pocket guide entry for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As), which Wikipedia cites for this material: OSHA PEL printed as [1910.1018] TWA 0.010 mg/m3; NIOSH REL printed as Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 [15-minute]; IDLH printed as Ca [5 mg/m3 (as As)].

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Arsenic (as arsenic trioxide, the arsenic product USGS reports; As2S3 itself is not reported separately)

Top producers (2025)
Peru 49.2%, China 39.3%, Morocco 8.2%, Belgium 1.6%, Russia 0.8%
Recycling
USGS: arsenic metal was contained in new scrap recycled during GaAs semiconductor manufacturing, and no arsenic was known to have been recovered from scrap electronic circuit boards, relays and switches.

Updated