Selenous Acid Formula

Selenium is a chemical element with the symbol Se and atomic number 34. It belongs to the oxygen group. It is classified as non-metal. It is solid at room temperature. It has the properties that are intermediate between the elements above and below in the periodic table. It is essential to trace elements and antioxidants. It shows similar properties as Sulphur, tellurium, and arsenic.

Oxygen

Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O. Its atomic number is 8 and its electronic configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁴. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table. It is a reactive element that is found in water most in rocks and minerals and in numerous organic compounds. It is the most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a chemical element with the symbol H. Its atomic number is 1 and its electronic configuration is 1s¹. It is the lightest element. It is also the most abundant element in the universe. Each atom of hydrogen has only one proton. It is usually found in gas form.

Selenous Acid

Selenous acid is the chemical compound with the formula H₂SeO₃. It is a white, crystalline solid and is the principal oxoacid of selenium. The major use is in protecting and changing the colour of steel, especially steel parts on firearms. It is widely used for the direct synthesis of various organoselenium derivatives. It is the conjugate acid of a hydrogen selenite.

Structure Of Selenous Acid

The chemical formula of Selenous Acid is H₂SeO₄. Structurally it is more accurately described by (HO)₂SeO. In this structure selenium is the centre atom. The structural formula of selenous acid is shown below.

Preparation Of Selenous Acid

The chemical compound Selenous Acid is formed by the following chemical reactions

• Selenium Dioxide reacts with water to give selenous acid.

H₂O + SeO₃ —-> H₂SeO₃

• Nitric acid reacts with selenium to form selenous acid.

2 HNO₃ + Se ——> NO + NO₂ + H₂SeO₃

• Hydrochloric acid is react with Selenic acid to produce chlorine, water, and Selenous Acid.

2 HCl + H₂SeO₄ ——> H₂O + Cl₂ + H₂SeO₃

• Barium selenate reacts with hydrochloric acid to form selenous acid.

4 HCl + BaSeO₄ —–> H₂O + Cl₂ + BaCl₂ + H₂SeO₃

Physical Properties Of Selenous Acid

• Selenous acid molecular weight is 128.97 g/mol.
• Its density is 3.0 gr/cm³.
• Its melting point decomposes at 70^οC.
• It is soluble in ethanol.

Chemical Properties Of Selenous Acid

• Selenous Acid reacts with Chloric acid in water, chlorine and selenic acid.

2 HClO₃ + 5 H₂SeO₃ ——> H₂O + Cl₂ + 5 H₂SeO₄

• Hydrogen Sulfide reacts with selenous acid to produce water, sulfur and selenium.

2 H₂S + H₂SeO₃ —–> 3 H₂O + 2 S + Se

• Selenous acid reacts with hydrogen iodide to produce water, iodine and selenium.

4 HI + H₂SeO₃ —–> 3 H₂O + 2 I₂ +Se

• Sodium Hydroxide reacts with selenous acid to form sodium selenite and water.

2 NaOH + H₂SeO₃ —–> 2 H₂O + Na₂SeO₃

Uses Of Selenous Acid

• Selenous acid is used as a specialized oxidizing agent.
• It is used as a component for gun blueing.
• It is used to protect and change the colour of steel.
• It is used in the treatment of nutritional deficiencies
• It preserves vitamin E.
• It is widely used for the synthesis of various organoselenium derivatives.
• It plays an important role in the structure of teeth.

FAQs On Selenous Acid Formula

Question 1: Is Selenous acid hazardous to health?

Answer:

Yes, selenous acid is hazardous to health. When selenous acid comes in contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. Breathing Selenous acid can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. It can damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys. And also Its exposure can cause headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and fatigue.

Question 2: Is selenous acid soluble in water?

Answer:

Selenous acid is a chemical compound. It is a white crystalline solid. It is extremely soluble in water to produce H⁺ and HSeO_3-“.

H₂SeO₃ ——–> H⁺ + HSeO_3–

Question 3: What are the uses of selenium?

Answer:

Selenium is a chemical element with the symbol Se. It is a non-metal. It is used in the manufacture of electronic equipment, in the making of glass and selenium is useful in photocells, solar cells and photocopiers.

Question 4: Does the element selenium react with anything?

Answer:

Selenium is a chemical element with the symbol Se. It most combines hydrogen and halogens such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine. It reacts with sulfuric and nitric acids and also reacts with many different metals to form compounds called selenides.

Selenium reacts with fluorine and burns to produce selenium hexafluoride.

2 F₂ +Se ——-> SeF₄

Selenium reacts with sulfuric acid to form selenium dioxide, sulfur dioxide and water.

2 H₂SO₄ + Se ——-> 2 H₂O + 2 SO₂ + SeO₂

Selenium reacts with nitric acid to form water, nitrogen dioxide and selenous acid.

4 HNO₃ + Se ———-> H₂O + 4 NO₂ + H₂SeO₃

Question 5: What are the uses of oxygen?

Answer:

Oxygen is a reactive element. It is used up by living beings in the respiration process. It is an essential element in most combustion processes. In industry, It is used for cutting, welding and melting metals. It is used in water treatment.

Question 6: Is selenous acid react with iodic acid?

Answer:

Selenous Acid is a chemical compound with the formula H₂SeO_3. It reacts with iodic acid to form iodine, selenic acid and water. The chemical equation is as follows:

2 HIO₃ + 5 H₂SeO₃ —-> H₂O + I₂ + 5 H₂SeO₄