Aluminium sulfite (Al2(SO3)3) is a mineral acid which can react with a strong acid, such as Sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Now let us learn about how H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3 react.
Al2(SO3)3 is an ionic compound in which the tri-positive aluminum atom(Al3+) shows ionic interaction with the electronegative oxygen atoms of the sulfite group ( SO33-). Al2(SO3)3 is an electron-deficient molecule. Due to its lack of electrons, it is extremely reactive and readily reacts with strong acid H2SO4.
In the following section of the article, let us discuss the reaction mechanism, the reaction enthalpy, the type of reaction, etc. of H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3,.
1. What is the product of H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3?
Aluminum sulfate(Al2(SO4)3), water (H2O) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas is formed when H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3 combine.
H2 SO4+ Al2(SO3)3 -> Al2(SO4)3 + SO2 + H2O
2. What type of reaction is H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3?
H2SO4+ Al2(SO3)3 reaction is a single displacement reaction and hydrolysis reaction.
3. How to balance H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3?
H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 = Al2(SO4)3 + SO2 + H2O reaction equation can be balanced in the following ways.
- As the reaction produces five different molecules, we first specify A, B, C, D, and E coefficient to reactant and products.
- A H2SO4 + + B Al2(SO3)3 = C Al2(SO4)3 + D SO2 + E H2O
- Rearranging the coefficients for elements of the same type to make them equal.
- When the coefficients of the same elements are rearranged according to their stoichiometric proportion, we obtain,
- H = 2A = 2E, S = A+ 3B = 3C + 1D, O = 4A + 9B = 12C + 2D+ 1E , Al = 2B = 2C
- Using the Gaussian elimination, we equate the equations,
- Thus, A = 3, B = 1, C = 1, D =3, and E = 3.
- The total equation for balance will be,
- 3 H2SO4 + + Al2(SO3)3 = Al2(SO4)3 + 3 SO2 + 3 H2O
4. H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 titration
Titrate the acid strength using H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3.
Equipment Used
- Burette
- Conical flask
- Burette holder
- Volumetric flask
- Beakers
Titre and Titrant
Al2(SO3)3 is the titre, and H2SO4 acts as a titrant
Indicator
Methyl orange is the best indicator since it provides accurate results for this titration at the acidic pH.
Procedure
- Standard H2SO4 is put within the burette. Al2(SO3)3 and the methyl orange indicator are placed in a conical flask.
- The conical flask is continuously shaken as H2SO4 is introduced dropwise.
- When the endpoint is reached after a predetermined amount of time, the indicator changes color, and the reaction is finished.
- For better results, we repeat the titration multiple times.
- Using the formula V1S1=V2S2, we estimate the amount of sulfite present.
5. H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 net ionic equation
The net ionic equation for H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 is as follows:
H+(aq) + SO42–(aq) + Al3+(aq) + SO32–(aq) = Al3+(aq) + SO42–(aq) + H+(l) + OH–(l) +SO2(g)
- Because H2SO4 is a powerful electrolyte, it will ionize into H+ and SO42- as a counter ion.
- Al2(SO3)3 is a strong electrolyte, it will dissociate into Al3+ and SO32- ions.
- Because Al2(SO4)3 is a powerful electrolyte, it is ionised into Al3+ and SO4-2.
- H2O is ionized into a H+ and OH– ions in a liquid state.
- Due to its gaseous form, SO2 does not dissociate.
6. H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 conjugate pairs
H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 conjugate pairs correspond to the protonated and deprotonated forms of the following species:
- Conjugate pairs of H2SO4 = HSO4–
- Conjugate pair of H2O = OH–
7. H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3 intermolecular forces
The intermolecular forces between H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3 are as follows:
- H2SO4 exhibits electrostatic, van der waals attraction and dipole-dipole interaction.
- Al2(SO4)3 exhibits electrostatic, van der waals attraction and ionic forces.
8. H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 reaction enthalpy
H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 reaction enthalpy is -1066.2 KJ/mol which can be obtained by the formula:
- Enthalpy of reaction = enthalpy of products – enthalpy of reactants.
| Molecule | Number of moles | Enthalpy of formation (KJ/mol) |
| H2SO4 | 3 | -814 |
| Al2(SO3)3 | 1 | -1676 |
| Al(SO4)3 | 1 | -3440 |
| SO2 | 3 | -284.5 |
| H2O | 3 | -296.6 |
- Thus, the enthalpy of reaction= [{-3440+ (3*(-284.5))+ (3*(-296.9)}- {(3*(-814)) + (-1676)}] KJ/mol= -1066.2 KJ/mol
9. Is H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 a buffer solution?
H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 reacts to produce an Al2(SO4)3 and H2O buffer solution, which can regulate the reaction’s pH.
10. Is H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 a complete reaction?
H2SO4 +Al2(SO3)3 is a complete reaction because it produces two primary products—a strong electrolyte and another that includes a water molecule and a gas molecule.
11. Is H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 an exothermic reaction?
H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 is an exothermic reaction because it increases the temperature and releases energy into the environment.
12. Is H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 a redox reaction?
H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 reaction is not a redox reaction because sulfur atoms maintain +6 and +4 oxidation states both in reactant and product sides, respectively.
13. Is H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 a precipitation reaction?
H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 is not a precipitation reaction because Al2(SO4)3 produced in this reaction is a strong electrolyte and is water soluble. SO2 is a gas and H2O is a liquid itself.
14. Is H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 irreversible reaction?
H2SO4+ Al2(SO3)3 is an irreversible due to the formation of a strong electrolyte and a gaseous molecule. As a result, the equilibrium only moves in the forward direction.
15. Is H2SO4 + Al2(SO3)3 displacement reaction?
H2SO4+ Al2(SO3)3 is a single displacement reaction. Al3+replaces H+ to form Al2(SO4)3 from H2SO4.
Conclusion
The reaction between H2SO4 and Al2(SO3)3 is commercially very important to produce aluminum sulfate, an essential element for wastewater treatment. The overall reaction is highly exothermic, so proper laboratory protection is highly recommended.
Hey readers, I am Ishita Ghosh. I have done my Master’s in Chemistry. My area of specialization is Inorganic Chemistry. The true way to comprehend chemistry is to understand it from its grassroots level. My effort is to share every bit of knowledge in chemistry I have so that it helps you for a better grasp on this subject.