{"id":5881,"date":"2025-04-18T10:42:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T08:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/?page_id=5881"},"modified":"2025-02-19T18:14:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T17:14:22","slug":"sulfurous-acid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/sulfurous-acid\/","title":{"rendered":"Sulfurous acid, what it is, formula, uses, and nomenclature"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <strong>sulfurous acid<\/strong> is a mineral that comes from sulfur oxide when water is added. Its <strong>formula<\/strong> and chemical structure, as well as the <strong>uses<\/strong> according to the safety data sheet, are indicated for several purposes, so it is important to know its properties and characteristics to use it correctly.<br \/>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What-is-sulfurous-acid\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What is sulfurous acid<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Formula-and-chemical-properties\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Formula and chemical properties<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Uses-of-sulfurous-acid\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Uses of sulfurous acid<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Uses-in-medicine\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Uses in medicine<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Nomenclature\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> Nomenclature<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Relationship-with-sulfur-dioxide\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">6<\/span> Relationship with sulfur dioxide<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Differences-between-sulfuric-and-sulfurous-acid\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">7<\/span> Differences between sulfuric and sulfurous acid<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Compounds-related-to-sulfurous-acid\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">8<\/span> Compounds related to sulfurous acid<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><aside class=\"adsini\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><!-- ah_inicio_articulo --><ins class=\"adsbygoogle ah-inicio-articulo\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9582652217436894\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"2508209597\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/aside>\n<h2><span id=\"What-is-sulfurous-acid\">What is sulfurous acid<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is a mineral acid produced from sulfur. Known as sulfur trioxide acid IV, it has the <strong>chemical structure<\/strong> Na2SO3 + 2 HCl \u2192 H2SO3 + 2 NaCl, and its molecular weight is 82.07 g\/mol.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It is considered a reducing agent<\/strong>, transferring electrons to an oxidizing agent. Through a chemical reaction called &#8220;reduction-oxidation,&#8221; sulfurous acid donates some of its electrons. These electrons move from one agent to another (from the reducing agent to the oxidizing agent).<\/p>\n<p>Its form of presentation, how it is available for sale, is in the form of a colorless liquid that has a strong odor reminiscent of sulfur.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Formula-and-chemical-properties\">Formula and chemical properties<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-98820 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulfurous-acid-formula.jpg\" alt=\"Sulfurous acid formula and chemical structure\" width=\"336\" height=\"280\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Semideveloped formula:<\/strong> H2SO3.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Density:<\/strong> 1030 kg\/m3 or 1.03 g\/cm3.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Molar mass:<\/strong> 82.07 g\/mol.<\/li>\n<li><strong>CAS number:<\/strong> 7782-992.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Liquefaction:<\/strong> -10\u00b0C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Freezing:<\/strong> -76\u00b0C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Color:<\/strong> colorless.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Odor:<\/strong> pungent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is a very unstable substance due to the properties of sulfurous acid. It is only available for sale in solution form. This can be done with water or alcohol.<\/p>\n<p>A characteristic of this acid is that it is <strong>highly corrosive<\/strong>, so it is used as a powerful reducing agent.<\/p><div class=\"clear\"><\/div><center><aside class=\"ads2\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9582652217436894\" data-ad-slot=\"1797353553\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/aside><\/center><div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Uses-of-sulfurous-acid\">Uses of sulfurous acid<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Chemical products manufacturing.<\/li>\n<li>Pharmaceutical production.<\/li>\n<li>For the paper industry.<\/li>\n<li>Refining petroleum and producing derivatives.<\/li>\n<li>Disinfectant.<\/li>\n<li>As a rodenticide.<\/li>\n<li>Bleaching agent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is well known in various industries, including chemical, cosmetic, and paper or petroleum industries. In the chemical industry, it is added to create a series of compounds and materials used to produce consumer products.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-98821 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulfurous-acid-uses.jpg\" alt=\"Sulfurous acid uses\" width=\"720\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulfurous-acid-uses.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulfurous-acid-uses-336x205.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" title=\"\">Sulfurous acid in cosmetics and medicine is used as a base for making drugs and skin care creams.<\/p>\n<p>It is also used in paper manufacturing because <strong>it works as a bleaching agent<\/strong>. This last property of sulfurous acid is used to remove chlorine stains.<\/p><div class=\"clear\"><\/div><center><!-- ah_3_ads --><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9582652217436894\" data-ad-slot=\"7212672277\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/aside><\/center><div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>The <strong>extraction<\/strong> of sulfurous acid can be natural or mechanical, meaning it appears in nature when sulfur oxide is washed by rain, a process that leads to what is known as acid rain or it can be triggered in a laboratory. In the latter, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/hydrochloric-acid-uses-properties\/\">hydrochloric acid dilution<\/a> and sodium sulfite in water are prepared.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>uses of sulfurous acid<\/strong> as a disinfectant are for small or medium-sized businesses or establishments. Its properties in this area are limited, but they can serve as a measure to sanitize spaces.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, it was also used as a rodenticide to eliminate rat pests, although over time it was found that cyanide acid and similar derivatives were more effective.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Uses-in-medicine\">Uses in medicine<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In clinical settings, it is also present since sulfurous acid serves as an antiseptic and anti-putrefactive agent, meaning it works as an agent to eliminate microbes from living tissues. It is also effective in preventing skin infections, similar to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/hydrogen-peroxide\/\">uses of hydrogen peroxide<\/a> and iodine.<\/p>\n<p>Sulfurous acid in medicine can be applied to prevent the decay of meat and parts of the body. It is anti-putrefactive.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Nomenclature\">Nomenclature<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-98822 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulfurous-nomenclature.jpg\" alt=\"Sulfurous acid nomenclature\" width=\"336\" height=\"280\" title=\"\">There are several definitions and names by which this mineral compound can be accessed. The nomenclature of sulfurous acid is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Systematic nomenclature:<\/strong> Hydrogen trioxosulfate IV.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stock:<\/strong> Sulfuric acid trioxide IV.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Traditional nomenclature:<\/strong> Sulfuric acid trioxide IV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>It belongs to the group of oxoacids<\/strong>, which are ternary combinations that consist of hydrogen + a non-metal element + oxygen. In this respect, oxoacids can also be produced with some metals such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, or tungsten, as these, in a high oxidation state, act as non-metals. Another ternary element and oxoacid is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/phosphoric-acid\/\">phosphoric acid, which serves as a weak acid due to its formulation<\/a>, similar to sulfurous acid.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Relationship-with-sulfur-dioxide\">Relationship with sulfur dioxide<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In nature, it is present through the chemical reaction produced by sulfur dioxide (SO2) and water from the atmosphere. This leads to an environmental process called acid rain.<\/p>\n<p>Its presence in the environment is mostly due to the large emission of sulfur from factories.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Differences-between-sulfuric-and-sulfurous-acid\">Differences between sulfuric and sulfurous acid<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although the name can cause confusion, these are actually two different acids. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/acido-sulfurico\/\">pH of sulfuric acid<\/a> is 0, while that of sulfurous acid ranges from 2.8 to 4. On the other hand, anhydrous sulfurous acid contains no water, as anhydrous substances are generally categorized as water-free.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, sulfurous acid has a valence of 4, while sulfuric acid has a valence of 6. The former is a weak acid, and the latter, sulfuric acid, is a strong acid in its first dissociation, when it loses hydrogen. Unlike hydrogen trioxosulfate IV or sulfurous acid, which is always weak.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Compounds-related-to-sulfurous-acid\">Compounds related to sulfurous acid<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Sulfur dioxide II, IV, VI.<\/li>\n<li>Sulfuric acid.<\/li>\n<li>Peroxosulfuric acid.<\/li>\n<li>Peroxodisulfuric acid.<\/li>\n<li>Sulfur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p><aside class=\"ads\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><!-- ah_fin_articulo --><ins class=\"adsbygoogle ah-fin-articulo\" style=\"display:inline-block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9582652217436894\" data-ad-slot=\"4055871191\"><\/ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); <\/script><\/aside><aside class=\"ads-relacionado\"><center><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><!-- mismumi_relacionado --><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-format=\"autorelaxed\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9582652217436894\" data-ad-slot=\"2966766890\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/center><\/aside><div class=\"clear\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The sulfurous acid is a mineral that comes from sulfur oxide when water is added. Its formula and chemical structure, as well as the uses according to the safety data sheet, are indicated for&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":98821,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5881"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5881"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5881\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mismumi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}