[Chemistry Class Notes] Hydrogen Sulfate Pdf for Exam

Hydrogen sulfate is also known as Bisulfate is an anion and the formula is  HSO₄ and is formed with the chemical radical sulfate (HSO₄).

 

When Hydrogen Sulfate gets exposed to water, it reacts and forms Sulphuric Acid, the formula of which is H₂SO₄. Hydrogen Sulfate is acidic in nature and is used as a weaker alternative to Sulfuric acid. Hydrogen sulfate reacts with Sodium to form Sodium Bisulfate (NaHSO₄) which is a pure substance. The Hydrogen Sulfate formula shows that one atom of hydrogen and one atom of sulfur along with four atoms of oxygen.

Chemical Reaction of Hydrogen Sulfate

Hydrogen sulfate is highly reactive with distilled water, and forms sulfate and hydronium ions. The chemical equation is given by: 

 

HSO₄^– + H₂O → H₃O+ + SO₄^2- 

 

Also reacts with nitrate ions, in order to form sulfate ions and nitrous acid. The chemical equality:

 

HSO₄^– + NO₂^–→ SO₄^2- + HNO₂

 

Taking water as a base, Hydrogen Sulfate reacts to form hydronium ions. This happens according to the Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Reactions, where an acid-based reaction will only occur when one proton is transferred from one molecule to another.

 

HSO₄−_(aq)+H₂O_(l) ⇌ H₃O + (aq) +SO₂− 4_(aq).

 

As per the Brønsted-Lowry, an acid-base reaction is known to occur when there is a transfer of one proton from one ion or from one molecule to another. In that way, the water acts as a base since it is shown to react with HSO₄⁻, and this is a better proton donor. This happens because of the amphoteric nature of water, and it acts both as a base and as an acid.

Uses of Hydrogen Sulfate

Hydrogen Sulfate is used in water treatment plants to remove residual chlorine. Hydrogen sulfate is a major alternative to liquid sulfur dioxide. The production of nitre cake is done with sodium salts of hydrogen sulfate. The resins formed from hydrogen sulfate are used to soothe the skin.

 

Hydrogen sulfate also commonly known as bisulfate is an anion. The hydrogen sulphate formula is given by HSO₄–. Hydrogen sulfate is formed with the chemical radical sulfate (HSO₄). When HSO₄ are exposed to water, they react to form Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄). With the Sulfate radial, hydrogen sulfates are generally acidic in nature. In fact, they are used as a weaker alternative to Sulfuric acid. Hydrogen sulfate reacts with Sodium to form Sodium Bisulfate (NaHSO₄) which is actually a pure substance. It creates a tetrahedral arrangement with the Sulfur atom at the center and four Oxygen atoms surrounding it. It forms a structure similar to that of Methane.

Structure of Hydrogen Sulfate

 

Physical Properties of Hydrogen Sulfate

 

Chemical Properties of Hydrogen Sulfate

Some of the chemical properties of Hydrogen Sulfate are given below:

Hydrogen sulfate is highly reactive with distilled water, forming sulfate and hydronium ions. Its chemical equation is given by: 

HSO₄– + H₂O → H₃O+ + SO₄^2- 

 

It can also react with nitrate ions, in order to form sulfate ions and nitrous acid. The chemical equality is down below: 

HSO₄– + NO₂– → SO₄2- + HNO₂

 

Hydrogen sulfate can also react with water (as a base) and form hydronium ions. This happens as per the Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Reactions.

HSO₄−_(aq)+H₂O_(l) ⇌ H₃O⁺_(aq)+SO^2-4(aq)

 

As per the Brønsted-Lowry, an acid-base reaction actually occurs when there is a transfer of one proton from one ion or molecule to another. In the above case, water acts as a base since it reacts with HSO₄−, which is a better proton donor. This happens due to the amphoteric nature of water. It can act both as a base and acid.

Hydrogen Sulfate Uses

Some of the major use cases of Hydrogen sulfate are given below:

 

It is mainly used in the water treatment plants in order to remove any residual chlorine.

Hydrogen sulfate is one of the major alternatives to liquid sulfur dioxide

The production of niter cake is done with the help of sodium salts of hydrogen sulfate

The resins formed from hydrogen sulfate are heavily used to soothe the skin

What is Sulfate?

Sulfate with its chemical formula, SO₄2-  is actually a sulfur oxoanion. By deprotonation of both the OH group in Sulfuric acid, one can actually obtain the sulfate radical.

What is Strong and Weak Acid?

Based on the pH level of the compound, one can actually determine whether it is a strong acid or a weak one. On the scale of 0 -14, the pH level decreases, the acidic nature increases. In fact, in some strong acids like HCL, the pH can even go below 0. Strong acids get completely dissociated in water. However, weak acids only get partially dissociated in water.

What are the Differences Between Hydrogen Sulfate and Hydrogen Sulfide?

Hydrogen sulfide can be easily identifiable. It has a distinct odor that resembles the smell of rotten eggs. It is produced after the decomposition of animal and plant tissue. High concentrations of it can be quite toxic and is very corrosive to metal objects. It even has the potential to corrode stainless steel. Hydrogen sulfate is also another form of sulfur. However, unlike hydrogen sulfide, it does not produce gas and does not contain odor. It occurs naturally in minerals like rocks, soils and sediments. Sulfate can be harmful for our health too. High levels of sulfate consumption can act as a laxative and that can cause dehydration in human beings.

Solved Questions

Example 1

How to find the oxidation number of S in hydrogen sulfate?

 

From the formula of hydrogen sulphate, we know that it is HSO₄–

According to the general rule of oxidation number,

 

All the oxidation number must add up to the charge of the ion

The oxidation number of H is 1

The oxidation number of O is -2

So, According to the question,

 

1 + S + (-2) * 4 = -1

 

S = 6, So the oxidation number of Sulfur is 6 in hydrogen sulfate. 

Example 2

We all know that hydrogen sulfate or HSO₄ acts as either a base or acid in water. So, in which of the following equations, hydrogen sulfate acts as an acid, and why? 

1) HSO₄–  + H₂O = H₂SO₄  + OH–

2) HSO₄–  + OH– = H₂SO₄ +  O^2-

3) HSO₄–  + H₂O   = SO₄^2-N + H₃O –

4) HSO₄–  + H₃O – = SO₃ + 2H₂O

 

The answer is option 3. Here HSO₄–  is actually acting as an acid because of the H+ ion that it gives away. As for the other equations, the HSO₄ name is acting as a base, either giving away OH–  or taking H+ ion.