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

HF is a solution of hydrogen fluoride in water. 3 compounds combine to form Li₂SO₃ which is a strong base. Let us examine the reaction between HF+Li₂SO₃ in details.

Li₂SO₃ is an ionic compound because the compound is having Li⁺ cation and SO₃^– anion. It has a molar mass 93.9452 g/mol which exists in white crystalline form at room temperature. Hydrogen fluoride is a colorless fuming liquid, acidic nature and highly corrosive.

In this article we will discuss some important factors about the reaction between HF +Li₂SO₃ like equations of balanced and ionic, conjugate pairs and types of reactions.

What is the product of HF and Li₂SO₃

Lithium sulphate react with hydrogen fluoride to form lithium fluoride (LiF) and sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).

HF + Li₂SO₃ = LiF + H₂SO₃

What type of reaction is HF + Li₂SO₃

The reaction HF + Li₂SO₃ is an acid–base reaction, where HF is a weak acid and Li₂SO₃ is a base.

How to balance HF + Li₂SO₃

The reaction HF + Li₂SO₃ is balanced using following steps.

2HF + Li₂SO₃ =2LiF + H₂SO₃

• Represent each element in left and right side of the above equation with an unknown coefficient.
• a HF + b Li₂SO₃ = c LiF + d H₂SO₃
• To prepare a system of equation in the above reaction elements it can be indicate the number of atoms of the element in each side.
• H – 1a + 0b = 0c + 2d
• F – 1a + 0b = 1c + 0d
• Li- 0a + 2b = 1c + 0d
• S -0a + 1b = 0c + 1d
• O – 0a + 3b = 0c + 3d
• Use substitution or gaussian elimination for solving variables in above equation.
• a=2 (HF), b=1 (Li₂SO₃), c= 2 (LiF), d=1 (H₂SO₃)
•  Placing coefficients in the front of each molecule and verify that all elements and electrons are balanced.

• The number of electrons in the reaction is equal to the two side therefor the equation is balanced.
• Thus, the balanced equation is-
• 2HF+ Li₂SO₃ = 2LiF + H₂SO₃

HF + Li₂SO₃ titration

HF+Li₂SO₃ titration is not possible because Li₂SO₃ is strong electrolytes and completely ionized making it impossible to titrate.

HF + Li₂SO₃ net ionic equation

The net ionic reaction between HF and Li₂SO₃ is–

2Li⁺(aq) + 2F^–(aq) = 2LiF(s)

Following steps are used to determine net ionic equation.

• Write the state or phase (gas, solid, aqueous or liquid) of each element in the balanced equation.
• 2HF (aq) + Li₂SO₃ (aq) = 2LiF(s) + H₂SO₃(aq)
• Write the complete ionic equation with includes spectator ions and cancel out the spectator ions in the equation.
• 2H⁺(aq) + 2F^–(aq) + 2Li⁺(aq) + SO₃^2-(aq) = 2LiF(s) + 2H⁺(aq) + SO₃^2-(aq)
• Balanced net ionic equation is obtained by removing the common ions that occurs both in the reactant and product part of ionic equation.
• Thus, the net ionic equation is-
• 2Li⁺(aq) + 2F^–(aq) = 2LiF(s)

HF + Li₂SO₃ conjugate pairs

The conjugate pairs in the reaction HF + Li₂SO₃ are-

• F^– is the conjugate base and HF is the conjugate acid of the F^– .
• Li⁺ is the conjugate base of Li₂SO₃.

HF and Li₂SO₃ intermolecular forces

Following intermolecular forces are present in the HF + Li₂SO₃ reaction.

• HF has hydrogen bond and dipole-dipole interaction.
• Li₂SO₃ has ionic bond between the ions Li⁺ and SO₃^– in the molecule.

HF + Li₂SO₃ reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of HF + Li₂SO₃ is –59 kJ/mol, calculated by subtracting the sum of the enthalpies of reactants and products which is mathematically is represented as-

•  _tH = Sum of the enthalpies of reactants – Sum of the enthalpies of products.
•  _tH = [2x (-11.8) -23.6) – (- 11.8 – (-23.6)] kJ/mol
•  _tH = -59 kJ/mol

Is HF + Li₂SO₃ a buffer solution

HF + Li₂SO₃ reaction can form a buffer solution because HF is a weak acid and Li₂SO₃ weak base and conjugate pairs of a strong base. So, the reaction is forming buffer.

Is HF + Li₂SO₃ a complete reaction

HF + Li₂SO₃ reaction is a complete reaction because, when it reaches equilibrium where the concentration of reactants and products are no longer changing.

Is HF + Li₂SO₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction

HF + Li₂SO₃ reaction is exothermic in nature and enthalpy value is negative -59 kJ/mol, and releases energy in the form of heat.

Is HF + Li₂SO₃ a redox reaction

HF + Li₂SO₃ reaction is not a redox reaction because the oxidation state of both reactant and product sides is equal. 

 2H ⁺¹F^-1 + Li₂ ⁺¹S⁺⁴O₃^2-   = 2 Li⁺¹F^-1 + H₂⁺¹S⁺⁴O₃ ^2-

Is HF + Li₂SO₃ a precipitation reaction

HF+Li₂SO₃ reaction is a precipitation reaction because products formed- LiF is insoluble in water, and also it is a double displacement reaction which indicates that the reaction will form precipitate.

Is HF + Li₂SO₃ reversible or irreversible reaction

HF+Li₂SO₃ reaction is irreversible because the reaction proceeds only in the forward direction and products cannot be converted back to reactants, so the reaction is irreversible.

Is HF + Li₂SO₃ displacement reaction

HF +Li₂SO₃ is a double displacement or metathesis reaction, where two reacting compounds HF and Li₂SO₃ interchange their ions or radicles to form a new compounds- LiF and H₂SO₃.

Conclusion

In this article we explore the facts about the reaction HF + Li₂SO₃, which is a precipitation reaction and double displacement reaction. Lithium fluoride is mostly used as welding fluxes and molten salt chemistry in metallurgy. H₂SO₃ is used in manufacturing of fertilizers, dyes and metallurgical processes.