Orientational correlations in liquid hydrogen sulphide

Neutron diffraction data on liquid H2S, D2S and an equimolar mixture of the two are presented for two thermodynamic states along the liquid—vapour coexistence curve. Comparison of the site-site radial distribution functions obtained with those of a model fluid where orientational correlations are absent and with those of water demonstrates that, although hydrogen sulphide does not form hydrogen bonds, nevertheless weak orientational correlations between first neighbouring molecules are detectable in both thermodynamic states. An analysis of the molecular configurations compatible with the experimental data, as calculated by applying the empirical potential structural refinement, is presented also.