Chemical reactions occur by the combination of two or more substances resulting in the formation of key products. Let us deduce the reactivity of H2SO3 and Hg(OH)2.
H2SO3 has never been isolated in pure form but has been detected in the gas phase in certain reactions. Hg(OH)2 is a hygroscopic compound widely used as a food preservative and also as a fertilizer.
The reaction of H2SO3 and Hg(OH)2 was explored for the sensitivity of mercury to form varied compounds with sulfur. Moreover, different aspects of the chemical characteristics of the reactants are studied below.
What is the product of H2SO3 and Hg(OH)2?
H2SO3 and Hg(OH)2 react to form mercury (II), sulfite and water.
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 = HgSO3 + H2O
What type of reaction is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2?
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is a displacement reaction because the anionic part of both the reacting species is interchanged with the cationic part of each other.
How to balance H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2?
The following algebraic method can be used to balance the reaction
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 = HgSO3 + H2O,
- Each reactant and product in the equation is labelled with a variable (A, B, C, and D) to represent unknown coefficients.
- A H2SO3 + B Hg(OH)2 = C HgSO3 + D H2O
- Now, an appropriate quantity thought of as the coefficient of reactants and products, is used to solve the equation.
- H = 2A + 2B = 2D, S = A = C, O = 3A + 2B = 3C + D, Hg = B = C
- The Gaussian elimination method is used to determine all the variables and coefficients, and the results are
- A = 1, B = 1, C = 1, and D = 2
- Accordingly, the overall balanced equation is,
- H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 = HgSO3 + 2 H2O
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 titration
The titration of H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is not possible because Hg(OH)2 does not exist in pure form.
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 net ionic equation
The net ionic equation of H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is
H2SO3 (aq) + Ba+2 (aq) + 2 OH– (aq) = HgSO3 (s) + 2 H2O (l)
The net ionic equation is derived using the following steps
- Write the balanced chemical equation and represent the physical states of reactants and products accordingly
- H2SO3 (aq) + Hg(OH)2 (aq) = HgSO3 (s) + 2 H2O (l)
- Now, strong acids, bases, and salts dissociate into ions whereas pure solid substances and molecules do not dissociate
- Thus, the net ionic equation is,
H2SO3 (aq) + Ba+2 (aq) + 2 OH– (aq) = HgSO3 (s) + 2 H2O (l)
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 conjugate pairs
- The conjugate base of H2SO3 is HSO3–
- Hg(OH)2 does not make a conjugate pair because it is not present in pure isolated form.
H2SO3 and Hg(OH)2 intermolecular forces
- Molecules of H2SO3 interact by strong covalent bonds.
- Hg(OH)2 forms weak hydrogen linkages.
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 reaction enthalpy
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is found to report no reaction enthalpy in the literature search because the product formed is not very stable to record.
Is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 a buffer solution?
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is not a buffer solution because strong acid (H2SO3) cannot form a buffer.
Is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 a complete reaction?
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is a not a complete reaction because HgSO3 dissociates readily to convert into HgS.
Is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 an exothermic or endothermic reaction
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is an exothermic reaction because sulfurous acid liberates heat.
Is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 a redox reaction?
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is not a redox reaction because no element undergoes a change in its oxidation states.
Is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 a precipitation reaction?
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is a precipitation reaction because HgSO3 crystallizes at the end of the reaction.
Is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 reversible or irreversible reaction?
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is an irreversible reaction because the products (HgSO3 and H2O) cannot convert back into the starting material.
Is H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 displacement reaction?
H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 is a double displacement reaction because both the anion counterparts of the reactant are substituted with the respective cationic part.
Conclusions
The reactivity of H2SO3 + Hg(OH)2 forms mercury (II) sulfite which further converts into mercury sulfide. The product remains insoluble in water and dimorphically exists in two forms (red and black). The most efficient use is in photo-electrochemical cells.
Read more about following H2SO3 facts
Hi…..This is Avneesh Rawat, I have done my Ph.D. in Chemistry from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. Currently, I am working as Project Associate in CSIR, CIMAP, Pantnagar. I am specializing in handling sophisticated GC/MS, GC, HPLC, FTIR instrumentation.