A re-assignment of the fundamental frequencies of sodium sulphite

Abstract

The vibrational spectrum of sodium sulphite both in the solid state and in aqueous solution has been re-assigned. In the solid state the data are not compatible with point group C_3v for the anion and we have rationalised the assignments in terms of the point group S₆. The anomalous results previously reported for the i.r. spectrum of sulphite dissolved in water can be readily interpreted in terms of a chemical reaction between the sulphite anion and the silver chloride windows of the cell.