15 Facts on H2SO3 + NaCl: What, How To Balance & FAQs

H₂SO₃ (Sulfurous acid ) is a chemical compound and is used as a reagent. NaCl (Sodium Chloride) is an ionic compound. Now let us see how H₂SO₃ and NaCl reacts with each other.

H₂SO₃ is present in gaseous phase. It is also an intermediate formed during acid rain from sulphuric dioxide. NaCl is commonly known as table salt and is used in food, preservatives, and condiment. It is also used in de-icing roads during winter

Now in the following article we, will discuss the H₂SO₃ + NaCl,  their net ionic equations, reaction type, conjugate pairs, redox reaction, etc…  in detail.

What is the product of H₂SO₃ + NaCl

Sodium Sulphite (Na₂SO₃)  and Hydrogen chloride (HCl) are the products produced during the reaction between H₂SO₃ and NaCl.

H₂SO₃ + NaCl → Na₂SO₃ + HCl

What type of reaction is H₂SO₃ + NaCl

The reaction H₂SO₃ + NaCl is a type of double–displacement (metathesis) reaction.

How to balance H₂SO₃ + NaCl

The unbalanced equation for the reaction between H₂SO₃ + NaCl is written as –

H₂SO₃ + NaCl → Na₂SO₃ + HCl

To balance the reaction following steps are used-

• Write each variable for every compound in the reaction.
• a H₂SO₃ +b NaCl → c Na₂SO₃ + HCl
• Then, create a different equation for each element (H, S, O, Na, Cl) that represents the total number of atoms of products and reactants both.
• H= 2a + 1d, S = 1a+1c ,O= 3a +3c, Na= 1b+2c, Cl = 1b+1d
• Now, solve for each variable using the elimination or substitution method, we get-
• a = 1 (H₂SO₃), b= 2(NaCl), c= 1(Na₂SO₃), d= 2(HCl)
• Substitute for each variable for reactant and product side both by calculating the number of atoms.

Elements	LHS	RHS
H	2	2
S	1	1
O	3	3
Na	2	2
Cl	2	2

• Thus, the balanced equation is-
• H₂SO₃ + 2NaCl → Na₂SO₃ + 2HCl

H₂SO₃ + NaCl titration

The titration of Sulfurous acid and NaCl will give noticable yield.

Apparatus or materials required

• Volumetric flask
• Burette
• Conical flask
• Burette stands
• Beakers

Titre and Titrant

• Here, titrant is H₂SO₃ which is the substance that is to be measured.
• NaCl is titre, its concentration remains unknown.

Indicator

The indicator used in H₂SO₃ + NaCl is methyl orange.

Procedure

• Firstly, wash the burette, and then fill it with H₂SO₃ and make it clamped to the stand.
• A measured amount of NaCl solution is added to a conical flask.
• Now add a few drops of an indicator inside the conical flask.
• As the dropper of the burette is opened the drops of acid will start dropping in the flask and the reaction will start.
• When a slight color change is an observed stop the burette dropper. This happens when the equivalence point is reached.
• The equivalence point is when the mole of acid is equal to the mole of the base, this will indicate the end of the reaction.
• The estimation of the salt is done by the formula- V_NaCl S_NaCl = V_H2SO3 S_H2SO3.

H₂SO₃ + NaCl net ionic equation

The net ionic equation of H₂SO₃ + NaCl is written from the following balanced reaction-

H₂SO₃ + 2NaCl → Na₂SO₃ + 2HCl

Following steps are used to gain the required net ionic equation.

• First, determine the state or phase of each of the compounds.
• H₂SO₃ (aq) + 2NaCl (s)  → Na₂SO₃ (s) + 2HCl (aq)
• The net ionic equation for the whole reaction will be formed as follows-
• 2 H­⁺(aq) + SO₃^2- (aq) +NaCl(s) = Na₂SO₃(s) + 2 H­⁺(aq) + 2Cl^– (aq)
• Now eliminate the spectator ions from both sides i,e. H­⁺.
• Therefore the equation formed is the net ionic equation for the given reaction–
• SO₃^2- (aq) +NaCl(s) = Na₂SO₃(s) + 2Cl^– (aq)

H₂SO₃ + NaCl conjugate pairs

In the reaction H₂SO₃ + NaCl the conjugated acid-base pairs are as follows-

• Conjugate base of H₂SO₃ = HSO₃^–
• There is no conjugate acid of H₂SO₃ because it is a strong acid.
• NaCl does not have any conjugate acid-base pair because Na⁺ is not a Bronsted acid or base, whereas Cl^– is a very weak Bronsted base.

H₂SO₃ + NaCl intermolecular forces

The reaction between H₂SO₃ + NaCl has the following intermolecular forces-

• The compound sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃) has weak electrostatic forces and also has van der Waals forces of interactions as it is a covalent compound.
• NaCl is a polar compound with dipole-dipole interaction forces.
• In HCl there are dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces of intermolecular forces.

H₂SO₃ + NaCl reaction enthalpy

H₂SO₃ + NaCl has the reaction enthalpy of -36.9 kJ/mol, where-     

• Enthalpy of formation of NaCl = -787 kJ/mol
• Enthalpy of formation HCl =- 92.3 kJ/mol
• Enthalpy of formation H₂SO₃ = – 655.5 kJ/mol
• Enthalpy of formation Na₂SO₃  = – 1387.1 kJ/mol

• Total change of enthalpy = ∑ ∆H⁰_f (products) – ∑ ∆H⁰_f (reactant)
• = (- 1387.1) + (- 92.3)  – (-787) + (- 655.5) kJ/mol
• = -36.9 kJ/mol

Is H₂SO₃ + NaCl a buffer solution

H₂SO₃ + NaCl reaction cannot give a buffer solution. It is because it contains strong acid like H₂SO₃ whereas, in a buffer solution, a weak acid-base is required.

Is H₂SO₃ + NaCl a complete reaction

The reaction H₂SO₃ + NaCl is a complete reaction as the products are formed completely once the equilibrium is reached and no further reaction takes place.

Is H₂SO₃ + NaCl an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H₂SO₃ + NaCl reaction is a type of exothermic reaction as the total enthalpy of formation is negative (-36.9 kJ/mol).

Is H₂SO₃ + NaCl a redox reaction

H₂SO₃ + NaCl reaction is not a type of redox reaction as no oxidation state of any compound is changed in the entire reaction.

Is H₂SO₃ + NaCl a precipitation reaction

The reaction of H₂SO₃ + NaCl is a type of precipitation reaction as a solid yellow color precipitate of Na₂SO₃ is formed as one of the products.

What are the Similarities and Differences Between Balancing H2SO4 + Ag2CrO4 and H2SO3 + NaCl?

The similarities and differences between balancing H2SO4 + Ag2CrO4 and H2SO3 + NaCl lie in their chemical equations. In both reactions, we encounter a double replacement reaction where the two reactants swap ions to form new compounds. However, the main distinction arises in their products. While H2SO4 + Ag2CrO4 produces Ag2SO4 + H2CrO4, H2SO3 + NaCl forms HCl + H2SO4. These reactions can be balanced by applying the appropriate coefficients to ensure the conservation of atoms. h2so4 and ag2cro4: balancing & faqs.

Is H₂SO₃ + NaCl a reversible or irreversible reaction

H₂SO₃ + NaCl reaction is an irreversible. Here, the product Na₂SO₃ formed after equilibrium, precipitates which makes the reaction irreversible.

Is H₂SO₃ + NaCl displacement reaction

The reaction between H₂SO₃ and NaCl is a double displacement reaction as hydrogen is replaced by Na from H₂SO₃  and simultaneously Cl from NaCl is replaced by SO₃ to produce the respective products.

Conclusion

Sulfurous acid has a molecule in the gaseous phase and has a molar mass of 82.07 g/mol. Sodium chloride commonly known as table salt has a ratio of 1:1 of Na and Cl ions. Na₂SO₃ formed in the reaction is used as an antioxidant and preservative.