Sodium dithionite
chemical compound
Sodium dithionite (also known as sodium hydrosulfite) is a white crystalline powder with a sulfurous odor. Although it is stable in dry air, it decomposes in hot water and in acid solutions.
Structure
The structure has been examined by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The dithionite dianion has C2 symmetry, with almost eclipsed with a 16° O-S-S-O torsional angle. In the dihydrated form (Na2S2O4·2H2O), the dithionite anion has gauche 56° O-S-S-O torsional angle.
A weak S-S bond is indicated by the S-S distance of 239 pm, which is elongated by ca. 30 pm relative to a typical S-S bond. Because this bond is fragile, the dithionite anion dissociates in solution into the [SO2]− radicals, as has been confirmed by EPR spectroscopy. It is also observed that 35S undergoes rapid exchange between S2O42− and SO2 in neutral or acidic solution, consistent with the weak S-S bond in the anion.
Preparation
Sodium dithionite is produced industrially by reduction of sulfur dioxide.
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