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What is H₂SO₃ ? ;
H₂SO₃ is sulfuric acid, a corrosive mineral acid with the chemical formula H₂SO₄. It is a colorless, viscous liquid that is slightly soluble in water. It is a strong acid that can dissolve many metals.
H2SO3 Structure
H2SO3 is a weak acid that is made up of a sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. The sulfur atom is bonded to the two oxygen atoms via a single bond and a double bond, which gives the molecule a bent shape. The acid has a sour taste and is corrosive. It is used in many industrial processes, including the manufacture of fertilizers, textiles, and paper.
Properties of Sulfurous Acid – H2SO3
• Sulfurous acid is a weak acid.
• It is a colorless, oily liquid that smells of rotten eggs.
• It is soluble in water and is corrosive to metals.
• It is used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, fertilizers, and other chemicals.
Sulfurous acid – A Reducing Agent or Oxidizing Agent
Sulfurous acid is a strong reducing agent. It can reduce metals to their elemental form. It is also a strong oxidizing agent. It can oxidize metals to their oxides.
Reasons Behind Some of the Acids being Oxidizing and Some Non-oxidizing
The difference between oxidizing and non-oxidizing acids can be attributed to the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing nature of their respective functional groups. For example, carboxylic acids (which contain a C=O group) are electron-donating, whereas sulfonic acids (which contain a SO3H group) are electron-withdrawing.
The electron-donating nature of carboxylic acids causes them to be good oxidizing agents, since they are able to donate electrons to other molecules. This enables them to accept and then transfer oxygen atoms, thereby oxidizing the other molecule. In contrast, the electron-withdrawing nature of sulfonic acids causes them to be poor oxidizing agents, since they are not able to donate electrons as easily.
Reactions of Sulfurous Acid
in Aqueous Solution
The aqueous solution of sulfurous acid is a weak acid. It can donate a proton to a water molecule to form the hydronium ion, H 3 O+.
H 2 SO 3 (aq) + H 2 O(l) → 2H 3 O+(aq)
H2SO3 Uses (Sulfurous Acid)
Sulfurous acid is used in the production of sulfur dioxide, a precursor to sulfuric acid. Sulfurous acid is also used as a bleaching agent in the textile industry.
Health Hazards
There are a number of potential health hazards associated with welding.
Welders are exposed to a number of potential health hazards, including:
•Welding fumes – exposure to welding fumes can cause a number of health problems, including metal fume fever, welders lung, and pneumoconiosis.
•UV radiation – exposure to UV radiation can cause a number of health problems, including skin cancer.
•Electric shock – exposure to electric shock can cause a number of health problems, including heart problems and death.
Solubility of Sulphurous Acid
in Water
Sulphurous acid is soluble in water.
