15 Facts on H2SO3 + O2: What, How to Balance & FAQs

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H2SO3 + O2 is one of the simplest chemical reactions in the series of oxygen reaction. The knowledge about compound act as reactant here are described briefly below:

H2SO3, chemically known as Sulphurous acid is weak in nature and provides two protons. O2 represents the symbol of molecular oxygen which is commonly known as life supporting gas largely produced by plants while photosynthesis. However, oxygen gas is found colourless and odourless.

The reaction between Sulphurous acid and Oxygen will be described in this article with representation of balanced chemical equation and some related chemical facts about the reaction.

What is the product of H2SO3 and O2?

H2SO3 + O2 produce H2SO4 which is a very common string acid, chemically noticed as Sulphuric acid. The equation is as follows:

H2SO3 + O2 = H2SO4

What type of reaction is H2SO3 + O2?

H2SO3 + O2 can be considered as a combination reaction. Both the reactants combine with each other to form the single product Sulphuric acid.

How to balance H2SO3 + O2?

H2SO3 + O2 reaction can be balanced by following a few steps:

  • Presenting the general chemical equation
  • The general equation is H2SO3 + O2 = H2SO4
  • Identifying the number of elements in each side
  • There are 2 H, 1 S, 5 O present in reactants and 2 H, 1 S, 4 O are present in product.
  • Taking first attempt to balance the equation by multiplying relevant number with reactants
  • In balancing the number of O atoms in each side at first 2 is multiplied with H2SO3
  • Now, the equation is obtained as 2H2SO3 + O2 = H2SO4
  • Taking second attempt to balance the equation by multiplying relevant number with products
  • Again H2SO4 is also multiplied with 2
  • Now the equation found as 2H2SO3 + O2 = 2H2SO4
  • Final representation of the balanced equation
  • The balanced equation with same number of O atoms in each side is 2H2SO3 + O2 = 2H2SO4

H2SO3 + O2 titration

H2SO3 + O2 do not represent any titration reaction. Although Sulphurous acid is a weak acid, O2 is not a strong or weak base. Therefore, titration is not possible between these two reactants.

H2SO3 + O2 net ionic equation

H2SO3 + O2 net ionic equation is represented as 2H2SO3 (aq) + O2 (g) = 2H2SO4 (aq). In displaying the net ionic equation a balanced equation by mentioning the state of compounds is an additional criterion.

h2so3 + o2
H2SO3 + O2 net Ionic equation

H2SO3 + O2 conjugate pairs

H2SO3 + O2 conjugate pairs are as follows:

  • The conjugate base of H2SO3 is HSO3–
  • The conjugate acid of H2SO3 is H+

H2SO3 and O2 intermolecular forces

H2SO3 and O2 intermolecular forces are given below:

  • H2SO3 is made of ionic bond which generally create aqueous state of compounds with strong intermolecular force
  • O2 is formed through London Dispersion force as O atoms are non-polar in nature.

H2SO3 + O2 reaction enthalpy

H2SO3 + O2 reaction enthalpies are as follows:

  • The formation Enthalpy of H2SO3 = -655.5 kJ/mole
  • The formation Enthalpy of H2SO4 = – 814 kJ/mole
  • The formation Enthalpy of O2 = 0 (As O is found most stable in the form of O2)

Is H2SO3 + O2 a buffer solution?

H2SO3 + O2 is not an example of buffer solution as O2 is a stable compound in molecular format and it is definitely not basic in nature.

Is H2SO3 + O2 a complete reaction?

H2SO3 + O2 is a complete reaction as both the reactants readily combine with each other and gets an equilibrium state after which the complete formation of stable Sulphuric acid takes place.

Is H2SO3 + O2 an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

H2SO3 + O2 is considered as an endothermic reaction as the formation enthalpy of H2SO4 is negative in value which signifies the formation heat energy with products at the end of the reaction.

Is H2SO3 + O2 a redox reaction?

H2SO3 + O2 is genuinely a redox reaction as H2SO3 is a reducing agent and O2 is an oxidising agent.  H2SO3 reduces Oxygen molecule and O2 oxidises Sulphurous acid.

Is H2SO3 + O2 a precipitation reaction?

H2SO3 + O2 is not a precipitation reaction as, H2SO4 does not appear with precipitation in the product solution.

Is H2SO3 + O2 reversible or irreversible reaction?

H2SO3 + O2 is an irreversible reaction as after the formation of stable Sulphuric acid, it does not undergo decomposition to form thermodynamically unstable Sulphurous acid (H2SO3).

Is H2SO3 + O2 displacement reaction?

H2SO3 + O2 is not a displacement reaction as none of the reactants displaces from the parent compound rather the reactants combine to reach equilibrium.

Conclusion

H2SO3 + O2 is found as a simple reaction in chemistry which is normally integrating knowledge about combination reaction. Pure oxidising agent O2 and reducing agent H2SO3 are found to create proper notion of redox reaction. This is one of the easiest chemical way to produce Sulphuric acids in laboratory.