H2S + xxx -> Neutral

[whozum]

I want to neutralize hydrogen sulfide with a chemical compound that is not harmful to a human. It is acidic, right? So I'd need a basic compound, perhaps a salt or a hydroxide?

Any input?

[Bystander]

What do you mean when you say "neutralize?" Render non-toxic? In air? In water? Remove from whatever system you've got? More details, please.

[whozum]

Get rid of, render ineffective. That kind of thing. Its just a question I dug up, I looked up the cause of bad breath and got 'hydrogen sulfide' and just wanted to think up a way to get rid of it.

[Borek]

Give some more details of what you are trying to achieve and quantities do you want to neutralize.

Hydroxide can be a good idea. You may also look for some precipitation reaction - most sulfides (apart from 1st and 2nd group) solubility is very low. Another way that I can think off is gentle oxidation to sulfur.

Best,
Borek
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[whozum]

Its not anything comprehensive, I was just trying to get an idea of something that woudl work well. I initially thought of selenium hydroxide

H2S + SeOH => H2O + SeS

Right? But SeS is an active ingredient in shampoo so I dont think that would be a good thing to have in your mouth. So any other kind of hydroxide? Also, is water going to be a product regardless, if I use a hydroxide?

What If I use a salt, hydrochloric acid will be a product?

Im in general chemistry as an undergrad to give you an idea of my understanding.

[so-crates]

What sulfur containg compounds do you know of that would not be harmful to humans ?

[GCT]

Listerine and hydrogen peroxide, think about what actually causes the sulfur production, I would highly suggest you refrain from using any FDA-unauthorized chemicals products for mouthwashes.

[whozum]

so-crates: I have no idea, sulfate?

GCT: I'm not gonna actually do this, just trying to think of things. So the peroxide and listerine would halt sulfur production? How come?

Is there something that would react with hydrogen sulfide? Would this fix bad breath?

I'm looking up listerine and H2O2 now

[Bystander]

Bad breath equals hydrogen sulfide? If you're trying to brainstorm a breath freshener, you'd be best served by hunting up a few more studies on halitosis. You'll find that hydrogen sulfide isn't a significant contributor to the "knock people over from the other end of the hall" bad breath that smokers and vegetarians exhibit --- you're looking at blends of amines, acids, aldehydes, ketones, and who knows what all else produced by bacterial and enzymatic action on food residues.

[ShawnD]

GCT: I'm not gonna actually do this, just trying to think of things. So the peroxide and listerine would halt sulfur production? How come?

Is there something that would react with hydrogen sulfide? Would this fix bad breath?

I'm looking up listerine and H2O2 now

Bacteria make bad breath. Listerine and peroxides both kill bacteria. Without bacteria to make stinky gases, there is no source for bad breath. Also brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. Bacteria just thrive on the white stuff on your tongue.

[whozum]

Stop accusing me of having bad breath :(

I read it somewhere that hydrogen sulfide was a culprit behind bad breath, so I just quickly thought to myself how I might try to eliminate H2S

Im sure theres a lot of other factors, but since they werent mentioned I would assume H2S was the major one. Anyway, this is more about chemistry, what do you guys think would be the best solution? I was thinking KOH, because then the product KS would be soluble right?