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Hyposulfurous Acid is an unstable oxoacid of sulfur. It exists in an intermediate oxidation state between dithionous acid and hydrogen sulfide. It is also known as Sulfoxylic Acid or Sulfur Dihydroxide or Dihydroxidosulfur. The acid comprises two hydroxy groups that are attached to an atom of sulfur. Hyposulfurous Acid has sulfur in a +2 oxidation state.
Hyposulfurous Acid Formula is given as H2SO2. Hyposulfurous acid contains one Sulfur (S), and two Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (O) atoms. Hydrogen (H) is a chemical element with atomic number 1 in the periodic table. Sulfur (S) has an atomic number 16 while Oxygen (O) has atomic number 8 in the periodic table.
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Key Terms: Hyposulfurous Acid, Hyposulfurous Acid Formula, Oxoacid, Sulfur, Sulfoxylic Acid, Hydroxy Groups, Oxidation, Dithionous Acid
What is Hyposulfurous Acid?
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Hyposulfurous Acid refers to a sulphur oxoacid that is unstable and exists in an oxidation state between dithionous acid and hydrogen sulfide.
- Hyposulfurous Acid is frequently referred to as Sulfoxylic Acid or Sulfur Dihydroxide or Sulfanediol.
- Two hydroxy groups attached to a sulfur atom form hyposulfurous acid.
- Hyposulfurous Acid contains sulfur in the +2 oxidation state.
- Sulfur monoxide is theorized to act as a theoretical anhydride for Hyposulfurous Acid.
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Hyposulfurous Acid Formula
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Hyposulfurous Acid Formula is H2SO2.
- Two hydrogen (H), one sulfur (S), and two oxygen (O) atoms make up hyposulfurous acid.
- Hyposulfurous Acid has a sulfur (S) atom linked to two hydroxy groups (OH).
- Hyposulfurous acid contains sulfur in the +2 oxidation state.
Hyposulfurous Acid Structure
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The structure of hyposulfurous acid includes 2 hydroxy groups attached to a sulfur atom. Sulfur is there in an oxidation state of +2 in hyposulfurous acid. The structure of Hyposulfurous Acid is as follows:

Hyposulfurous Acid Structure
Preparation of Hyposulfurous Acid
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Hyposulfurous Acid can be prepared in different ways which are described as follows:
- Hyposulfurous acid is found in a gaseous state as an intermediate acid by the oxidization of Hydrogen Sulfide in the natural environment.
- Hyposulfurous acid can also be prepared by ultraviolet irradiation of a mixture consisting of solid H2S and H2O. The process usually takes place in circumstellar disks or comets.
- Hyposulfurous acid can be prepared by conducting ultraviolet irradiation on solid sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.
Physical Properties of Hyposulfurous Acid
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The physical properties of Hyposulfurous Acid are as follows:
- Hyposulfurous acid has a molecular weight of 66.07 g/mol.
- It has Bisulfoxylate (SO2H–) and a conjugate base.
- It is an isomer of sulfinic acid.
- It has a pKa of 7.97.
Chemical Properties of Hyposulfurous Acid
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The chemical properties of Hyposulfurous Acid are as follows:
- Hyposulfurous Acid disproportionates into Sulfur (S) and Hydrogensulfite (HSO3–), which in turn react together to form thiosulfate (S2O32-).
- Diothionite (S2O42-) is created when hyposulfuric acid is oxidized to sulfur dioxide (SO2).
2 SO22- ⇌ S2O42-
- Dithionite and hyposulfurous acid combine to produce sulfur (S) and hydrogen sulfite (HSO-3).
H2SO2 + S2O42- ⇢ 2HSO3– + S
- Hyposulfurous acid reacts with hypochlorite, bromine, or chlorine dioxide, and produces sulfates and hydrogen sulfite.
Uses of Hyposulfurous Acid
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The prominent uses of Hyposulfurous Acid are as follows:
- Hyposulfurous Acid is used as a reducing agent.
- It is used as a bleaching agent that is used to bleach the pulp of paper.
- It is used in the dyeing procedure.
- It can be used in organic reactions to reduce the Nitro group to the Amino group.
- Hyposulfurous Acid is also used in industrial processes as sodium ion sources or sulfonating chemicals.
- It is used in the leather and textile industries.
- It is used in food, photography, and polymer industries as well.
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Things to Remember
- Hyposulfurous Acid is an unstable sulfur oxoacid formed in an oxidation state between hydrogen sulfide and dithionous acid.
- Hyposulfurous Acid consists of two hydroxy groups attached to a sulfur atom.
- Sulfur is present in an oxidation state of +2 in hyposulfurous acid.
- Hyposulfurous Acid Formula is written as H2SO2..
- The acid can be prepared through the ultraviolet irradiation of a mixture consisting of solid H2S and H2O.
- Textile, food, and polymer industries are the various sectors where hyposulfurous acid is used often.
Sample Questions
Ques. What happens when sodium hydroxide and Hyposulfurous acid react in water? (2 Marks)
Ans. Sodium hyposulfite (Na2SO2) and water are produced when hyposulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) combine in water (H2O).
H2SO2 + 2NaOH ⇢ Na2SO2 + 2H2O
Ques. What are the health risks associated with Hyposulfurous acid? (2 Marks)
Ans. The health risks associated with Hyposulfurous acid are as follows:
- The acid gets heated on contact with air and moisture. This heat is then used to ignite the surrounding combustible material.
- The exposure of Hyposulfurous acid to fire or heat may rupture violently.
Ques. Is Hyposulfurous an acid or base? (2 Marks)
Ans. Hyposulfurous acid is classified as an acid that is an unstable oxoacid of Sulfur (S). Hyposulfurous acid is an intermediate oxidation state between dithionous acid and hydrogen sulfide.
Ques. Write down the reaction of hyposulfuric acid and oxygen. (2 Marks)
Ans. Water and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are the products of the reaction between hyposulfuric acid and oxygen (O2).
2H2SO2 + O2 ⇢ 2SO2 + 2H2O
Ques. Write down the reaction of Hyposulfurous acid and Calcium Hydroxide. (2 Marks)
Ans. Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and Hyposulfurous Acid combine to form Calcium Hydride (H2Ca) and Sulfate Hydroxide (SO4(OH)2)
H2SO2 + 2Ca(OH)2 ⇢ 2H2Ca + SO4(OH)2
Ques. Explain how hyposulfurous acid and hydrogen iodide react. (2 Marks)
Ans. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), iodine (I2), and water are produced when hyposulfuric acid and hydrogen iodide (HI) are combined (H2O).
H2SO2 + 4HI ⇢ H2S + 2I2 + 2H2O.
Ques. Write the reaction of hyposulfuric acid and hydrogen sulfide. (2 Marks)
Ans. Water (H2O) and sulfur are produced when hyposulfurous acid reacts with hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
H2SO2 + H2S ⇢ 2S + 2H2O
Ques. What is Hyposulfurous Acid Formula? (2 Marks)
Ans. Hyposulfurous Acid Formula is H2SO2. Hyposulfurous Acid is an unstable sulphur oxoacid. It is also known as sulfuric acid or sulfoxylic acid. In addition, this acid is in a stage of oxidation between hydrogen sulfide and dithionous acid.
Ques. What is the structure of Hyposulfurous Acid? (2 Marks)
Ans. The structural representation of hyposulfurous acid involves the attachment of two hydroxyl groups to a sulfur atom. Here is the structure of Hyposulfurous acid:

Structure of Hyposulfurous Acid
Ques. What are the salts of Hyposulfurous Acid? (2 Marks)
Ans. According to the claims, Cobalt, thallium, and zinc salts of Hyposulfurous Acid have reportedly been produced. Additionally, ammonia, cobalt chloride, and sodium hyposulfite are used to make cobalt sulfoxylate. The interaction between zinc metal and sulfuryl chloride results in the creation of zinc sulfoxylate. Also, thallous sulfide is exposed to oxygen during the production of hallous sulfoxylate.
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