Behaviour of inorganic and organic acid anhydrides in disulphuric acid

Abstract

Nitric oxide and nitrous oxides behave as non-electrolytes in disulphuric acid. Dinitrogen trioxide, dinitrogen tetroxide, and dinitrogen pentoxide form nitrosonium and nitronium ions in the solutions. Selenium trioxide forms H₂SeSO₁₀, in disulphuric acid whereas phosphoric oxide dehydrates it to form sulphur trioxide. Arsenic trioxide is solvolysed to form As(HSO₄)₃ which is a weak electrolyte. Boric anhydride forms tetra(hydrogen sulphato)boric acid which behaves as a strong acid of the system. Acid–base titrations have been followed conductometrically. Behaviour of the anhydrides of organic acids has also been investigated where they are completely ionised. The extent of protonation is more in disulphuric acid than in sulphuric acid.