Bisulfite

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In inorganic chemistry, the bisulfite (IUPAC-recommended nomenclature: hydrogen sulfite) ion is the HSO₃⁻ ion. It is the conjugate base of sulfurous acid, H₂SO₃. Salts containing the HSO₃⁻ ion are bisulfite salts It is a weakly acidic substance which has a pKa of 6.97.

HSO₃⁻ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + SO₃^2-

The bisulfite ion consists of a central sulfur atom, single bonded to three oxygens and a hydrogen.

[edit] Examples

• Sodium bisulfite, NaHSO₃

[edit] See also

• Sulfurous acid
• Sulfite
• Sulfate