Sodium sulfite (sodium sulphite) is a soluble sodium salt of sulfurous acid (sulfite) with the chemical formula Na2SO3. It is a product of sulfur dioxide scrubbing, a part of the flue-gas desulfurization process. It is also used as a preservative to prevent dried fruit from discoloring, and for preserving meats, and is used in the same way as sodium thiosulfate to convert elemental halogens to their respective hydrohalic acids, in photography and for reducing chlorine levels in pools.
Formula
Na2O3S
Molecular Weight
126.043
Exact Mass
125.936
LogP
-0.1384
PSA
82.4
Synonyms
anhydrous sodium sulphite
Natrii sulphis
Sodium sulphite
Sodium sulfite anhydrous
disodium,sulfite
Sulftech
SODIUM SULFITE
Sulfurous acid,disodium salt
Sodium sulfite solution
Disodium sulfite
Natrium sulfurosum
sodium sulphite powder
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Properties
Appearance & Physical State
white crystals or powder
Density
2.633
Melting Point
500ºC
Refractive Index
1.484
Water Solubility
23 g/100 mL (20 ºC)
Stability
Stable. Incompatible with strong acids. Moisture and air sensitive.
