Oxoacids of Sulphur: Properties and Reactions in Chemistry

by Yuvi K - December 22, 2023

Oxoacid of Sulphur: Properties and Reactions in Chemistry

The organic compounds of sulphur are popularly known as oxoacids. This term refers to the acids that have a mechanism based on oxidation-reduction reactions. The most common oxoacids of sulphur are sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, sulfates, sulfites and thiosulfates. In this article, we will discuss the properties and reactions of these compounds.

Sulphuric Acid

Sulphuric acid, also known as Oil of Vitriol, is the most widely used chemical compound in the world. It is produced by the burning of sulphur or pyrites, along with air and water. Sulphuric acid has a strong and choking odour, and is highly corrosive. It is colourless, odourless, and has a pH of less than zero.

Sulphuric acid is a strong oxidizing agent and highly reactive. It can easily form sulphates, which are soluble and can be used in many industrial applications. Sulphuric acid can also react with metals, forming different salts, and can react with bases, forming sulfuric acid salts.

Sulphurous Acid

Sulphurous acid is a weak inorganic acid, which is a combination of sulphur and oxygen. It is colourless and odourless, and has a pH of about 3.5. It decomposes rapidly on contact with water, forming sulphuric acid and sulphur dioxide gas.

Sulphurous acid reacts with bases, such as sodium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, to form sulphite and sulfate salts. It also reacts with metals, such as zinc and iron, forming different salts.

Sulfates

Sulfates are salts or esters of sulfurous acid. They are colourless crystals, and have general properties similar to those of sulphates. They are soluble in water, and react with bases to form sulfate salts, such as potassium sulfate and magnesium sulfate. They also react with metals to form sulfate salts, such as aluminium sulfate and iron sulfate.

Sulfites

Sulfites are salts of sulfurous acid. They are colourless, odourless crystals, and have general properties similar to those of chlorides. They are soluble in water, and react with acids, such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid, to form sulfites.

Sulfites react with metals, such as magnesium and calcium, to form sulfates. They also react with bases, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, to form sulfite salts.

Thiosulfates

Thiosulfates are salts of sulfurous acid. They are colourless crystals, and have general properties similar to those of chlorides. They are soluble in water, and react with acids, such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid, to form thiosulfates.

Thiosulfates react with metals, such as zinc and iron, forming different salts. They also react with bases, such as sodium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, forming thiosulfate salts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, oxoacids of sulphur have a range of properties and reactions. Sulphuric acid is a strong oxidizing agent and highly reactive. Sulphurous acid is a weak inorganic acid, and it is colourless and odourless. Sulfates, sulfites and thiosulfates are salts of sulphurous acid, and have general properties similar to chlorides. All these compounds react with metals and bases, forming different salts.