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Possible Products When Sodium Metabisulfite Reacts

Sodium metabisulfite (Na₂S₂O₅) is a versatile chemical. Depending on what it reacts with, the products can vary. Here are some common possibilities:

• Hydrolysis (Reaction with Water):
  • Sodium metabisulfite reacts with water to produce sodium bisulfite (NaHSO₃):
    Na₂S₂O₅ + H₂O → 2 NaHSO₃
• Reaction with Acids:
  • Reacts with acids (like HCl or H₂SO₄) to release sulfur dioxide gas (SO₂):
    Na₂S₂O₅ + 2 HCl → 2 NaCl + 2 SO₂ + H₂O
• Thermal Decomposition:
  • On strong heating, it decomposes to sodium sulfite and sulfur dioxide:
    Na₂S₂O₅ → Na₂SO₃ + SO₂
• Oxidation (With Strong Oxidizers):
  • Can be oxidized to form sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄):
  • 2 Na₂S₂O₅ + O₂ → 2 Na₂SO₄ + 2 SO₂

Note: The actual products depend on the reaction conditions and the substances sodium metabisulfite reacts with.