15 Facts on HBr + Li2SO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

HBr is an inorganic acid, whereas Li₂SO₃ is an alkali metal sulphate. Let us discuss a brief detail on HBr + Li₂SO₃ reaction below.

Li₂SO₃ is a white powdered solid basic salt. Li₂SO₃ is used in Li-battery as electrolyte solutions. HBr is a colorless, powerful mineral acid. HBr is formed by the reaction of hydrogen gas and bromine. HBr is used as a laboratory reagent.

In this article we will studies the various facts and properties of the reaction of HBr and Li₂SO₃.

What is the product of HBr and Li₂SO₃?

Lithium bromide (LiBr), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and water (H₂O) are formed from the reaction of HBr+Li₂SO₃, where unstable sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃) easily breaks down into water and sulphur dioxide.

2HBr + Li2SO₃ → 2LiBr +H₂SO₃  → H₂O + SO₂

What type of reaction is HBr + Li₂SO₃?

HBr and Li₂SO₃ is a double displacement reaction.

How to balance HBr + Li₂SO₃?

The imbalanced equation for the HBr + Li₂SO₃ is-

HBr + Li₂SO₃ → LiBr + SO₂ + H₂O

The reaction is balanced using the following steps:

• Count the number of atoms or ions for both sides of reaction.

• To match the H and Li atom numbers, HBr will be multiplied by the number 2 and LiBr is also multiplied by 2.
•  Thus, the balanced equation is:
• 2HBr + Li₂SO₃ → 2LiBr + SO₂ + H₂O

HBr + Li₂SO₃ titration

Back titration is required to calculate the concentration of the insoluble salt Li₂SO₃ in HBr.

Apparatus

Pipette, burette, conical flask, volumetric flask, distilled water, burette holder, beakers and wash bottle and stirrer.

Indicator

Phenolphthalein is used as an indicator for acid-base titration to identify the end point of titration.

Procedure

• Pipette out HBr (determined volume and concentration) in a conical flask containing a solution of Li₂SO₃.
• Add a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator after thoroughly mixing the mixture of the flask.
• Now, titrate the acid that is extra HBr by adding known concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution from a burette till a very faint permanent pink colour is obtained.
• To check the precision and record the readings of burette analysis, repeat the procedure at least 2 to 3 times.
• At last the quantity of unreacted HBr is calculated by using the equation S₁V₁ = S₂V₂.
• By knowing the quantity of unreacted HBr, the amount of Li₂SO₃ is calculated that interacted with HBr.

HBr + Li₂SO₃ net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for HBr + Li₂SO₃ is –

SO₃²⁻ (aq) + 2H⁺ (aq) → H₂O (l) + SO₂ (g)

To derive the net ionic equation, following steps are used:

• Ionic compounds dissociate into ions as positive ion (cation) and negative ion (anion).
• Ionic substances like HBr, Li₂SO₃, and LiBr is represented as cations and anions.
• 2H⁺ (aq) + 2Br⁻ (aq) + Li²⁺ (aq) + SO₃²⁻ (aq) → 2Li⁺ (aq) + 2Br⁻ (aq) + H₂O (l) + SO₂ (g)
• At last, by cancelling the spectator ions through both ends, we obtain the net ionic equation as:
• SO₃²⁻ (aq) + 2H⁺ (aq) → H₂O (l) + SO₂ (g)

HBr + Li₂SO₃ conjugate pairs

HBr and Li₂SO₃ conjugate pairs are

2HBr + Li₂SO₃ → 2LiBr + SO₂ + H₂O

• HBr is a strong acid with conjugate base Br^–.
• The conjugate pair for Li₂SO₃  is impossible as it is a metal sulphite.

HBr and Li₂SO₃ intermolecular forces

HBr+ Li₂SO₃ has the following intermolecular forces,

• Dipole-dipole interaction is present in HBr. As HBr is a polar molecule, thus due to polar nature of HBr, dipole-dipole interaction and London dispersion force (Van der Waals forces).
• Electrostatic force of attraction is present in Li₂SO₃ as it is ionic in nature. In Li₂SO₃, Li²⁺and SO^3- ions are present so, electrostatic force of attraction is present.

HBr + Li₂SO₃ reaction enthalpy

The enthalpy of a reaction is -391.24 kJ/mol and is calculated by finding the difference between the heat of formation of both product and reactant. For the reaction of HBr and Li₂SO₃ the enthalpy of formation has been listed below-

• HBr = 36.23 kJ/mol
• Li₂SO₃ = -1177.0 kJ/mol
• LiBr = -351.2 kJ/mol
• H₂O = 286.0 kJ/mol
• SO₂ = –296.9 kJ/mol

• Thus, Enthalpy of reaction = (2×36.23 – 1177.0) – (-351.2 × 2 + 286.0- 296.9 )
• = -391.24 kJ/mol

Is HBr + Li₂SO₃ a buffer solution?

HBr and Li₂SO₃ is not a buffer solution as HBr being a strong acid dissociate completely in solution.

Is HBr + Li₂SO₃ a complete reaction?

HBr + Li₂SO₃ is a complete reaction because both the reactants completely react with each other and produce stable products as lithium bromide (LiBr), Water (H₂O) and sulphur dioxide(SO₂).

Is HBr + Li₂SO₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

HBr + Li₂SO₃ is exothermic in nature as LiBr is formed which is an ionic compound and thus heat is released during the reaction.

Is HBr + Li₂SO₃ a redox reaction?

HBr + Li₂SO₃ is not a redox reaction as there is no change in the oxidation numbers of reactant and products.

Is HBr + Li₂SO₃ a precipitation reaction?

HBr + Li₂SO₃ is not a precipitation reaction as the product LiBr is water soluble compound and the other products are water and SO₂ gas.

Is HBr + Li₂SO₃ reversible or irreversible reaction?

HBr +Li₂SO₃ is irreversible as this reaction moves only in one direction.

Is HBr + Li₂SO₃ displacement reaction?

HBr + Li₂SO₃ is a double displacement reaction because in this reaction both Br^– and SO₃^2- ions are interchanged between two reactant molecules, HBr and Li₂SO₃.

Conclusion

The reaction of HBr produces LiBr, which is a white solid and H₂SO₃. LiBr forms crystalline hydrates and it is used as a coolant in industrial air cooling systems and also used as a desiccant. H₂SO₃ which is a colourless reducing agent and it is unstable in an aqueous solution.