Selenic acid

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Selenic acid
Selenic acid
Selenic acid
IUPAC name Selenic(VI) acid
Other names Selenic acid
Identifiers
CAS number [7783-08-6]
RTECS number VS6575000
SMILES OSe(O)(=O)O
Properties
Molecular formula H2SeO4
Molar mass 144.9734 g/mol
Appearance Colorless deliquescent crystals
Density 2.95 g/cm3, solid
Melting point

58 °C (331 K)

Boiling point

260 °C (533 K) (decomposes)

Solubility in water 130 g/100 mL (30 °C)
Acidity (pKa) similar to H2SO4
Refractive index (nD) 1.5174 (D-line, 20 °C)
Structure
Molecular shape tetrahedral at Se
Hazards
Main hazards Corrosive, highly toxic
NFPA 704
0
3
2
 
R-phrases 23/25-33-50/53
S-phrases 20/21-28-45-60-61
Related compounds
Other anions selenate
Other cations selenyl ion, SeO22+
Related compounds Sulfuric acid
Selenium dioxide
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox disclaimer and references

Selenic acid is the chemical compound with the formula H2SeO4. This oxoacid is more descriptively written (HO)2SeO2, which emphasises that Se is attached to four oxygen atoms. As predicted by VSEPR theory, the selenium center is tetrahedral.

[edit] Preparation and reactions

Selenic acid is prepared by oxidation of selenium dioxide with hydrogen peroxide:

SeO2 + H2O2 → H2SeO4

To obtain the anhydrous acid as a crystalline solid, the resulting solution is evaporated at temperatures<140 °C in vacuum.[1]

Like sulfuric acid, selenic acid is a strong acid that is hygroscopic and extremely soluble in water. Concentrated solutions are viscous. Crystalline mono- and di-hydrates are known. Unlike sulfuric acid, H2SeO4 is a sufficiently strong oxidizer to liberate chlorine from chloride ions, being reduced to selenious acid (selenic [IV] acid).

Selenic acid reacts with barium salts to precipitate BaSeO4, analogous to the sulfate. Calcium selenate is however more soluble than the sulfate.

Treatment of selenic acid with fluorosulfuric acid gives the dioxydifluoride (b.p. -8.4C):[1]

H2SeO4 + 2 HO3SF → SeO2F2 + 2 H2SO4

Hot selenic acid is capable of dissolving gold.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Seppelt, K. “Selenoyl difluoride” Inorganic Syntheses, 1980, volume XX, pp. 36-38. ISBN 0-471-07715-1. The report describes the synthesis of selenic acid.