OPTICAL BASICITY OF SULFIDE SYSTEMS

Optical basicity expresses quantitatively the electron-donor power of oxide(-II) atoms in oxidic systems such as silicates, borates and phosphates. Recently, it has been shown that the optical basicity scale extends to fluoride systems and the present work indicates extension also to sulfide systems. Optical basicity values of metal sulfides (MgS, 1.25; CaS, 1.30; SrS, 1.35; BaS, 1.40; ZnS, 1.30) indicate a somewhat greater basicity than those of the corresponding oxides, and this is considered in the context of the performance of metallurgical slags.