3 S (s) + 6 NaOH (aq) → 2 Na2S (aq) + Na2SO3 (aq) + 3 H2O (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

2 S0 + 4 e- → 2 S-II (reduction)

S0 - 4 e- → SIV (oxidation)

S is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).

Reactants:

  • S
    • Names: Sulfur source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, S source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Sulphur source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Yellow solid in various forms source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • NaOH
    • Names: Sodium hydroxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Caustic soda source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Lye source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: White, waxy, opaque crystals source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; White hygroscopic solid in various forms source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless to white, odorless solid (flakes, beads, granular form). source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • Na2S
    • Names: Sodium sulfide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Disodium sulfide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Sodium sulfide (anhydrous) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Colorless, hygroscopic solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28; White-to-yellow hygroscopic crystals with characteristic odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • Na2SO3 – Sodium sulfite source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Other names: Sodium sulphite source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Hypo clear (photography) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28, E221 source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28
    • Appearance: White solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28; White crystals or powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27