Dithionite

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The unusual structure of the dithionite anion. It has a remarkably long sulfur-sulfur bond.

A ball-and-stick model of the dithionite ion.

The dithionite anion, S₂O₄²⁻, is a sulfur oxoanion formally derived from the hypothetical compound dithionous acid, H₂S₂O₄. Dithionous acid has not been detected either as a pure compound or in solution.

Dithionite ions undergo both acid and alkaline hydrolysis:

2S₂O₄²⁻ + H₂O → S₂O₃²⁻ + 2HSO₃⁻

3S₂O₄ + 6NaOH → 5Na₂SO₃ + Na₂S + 3H₂O

The sodium salt of dithionous acid, sodium dithionite, finds widespread use in industry as a reducing agent.

[edit] References

• Greenwood, N. N.; & Earnshaw, A. (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd Edn.). Oxford:Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0-7506-3365-4.

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