Hydrogen Sulfate

Introduction

Sulphates are ions with the molecular formula 𝑆𝑂4and carry two negative charges along with them. There are four oxygen atoms that surround the central atom, sulphur in this ion. And are salt of the acid sulphuric acid.

The partial neutralization of sulphuric acid with a base, sodium hydroxide results in the formation of sodium bisulphate, $\mathrm{NaHSO_{4}}$. The corresponding ion of this salt is the hydrogen sulphate, 𝐻𝑆𝑂−. And that is the reason it is called bisulphate. The parent compound of this chemical is sulphuric acid and so is the reason for its acidity. But they are weakly acidic compared to sulphuric acid, so it is often used instead of sulphuric acid in several cases where the less acidic compound is needed.

What is Hydrogen Sulphate?

Hydrogen sulphate is the salt of sulphuric acid with the chemical formula 𝐻𝑆𝑂−. And is in the ion form, anion. Hydrogen sulphate contains hydrogen, sulphur, and oxygen as elements. It is also a sulphur oxoanion. It is the conjugate acid of sulphates with an acidic character and has excellent chemical properties. Hydrogen sulphate is also named bisulphate since it is the ion of sodium sulphate, $\mathrm{NaHSO_{4}}$. The basic unit of this compound originates from the sulphuric acid, $\mathrm{H_{2}SO_{4}}$. They are weakly acidic and often used when some reactions require weak acidity, but sulphuric acid cannot be used even in the diluted form. Hydrogen sulphate is also the deprotonated form of sulphuric acid, where one proton is lost.

Structure of Hydrogen Sulphate

Hydrogen sulphate contains one sulphur, four oxygen, and one hydrogen ion. The structure of Hydrogen sulphate is tetrahedral similar to methane molecules. The structure is,

Chemical Reaction of Hydrogen Sulphate

There are many chemical reactions present in this chemical. Some of its reactions are shown below.

• They react with water and form hydronium and sulphate ions. The reaction is,

$$\mathrm{HSO_{4}^{-}\:+\:H_{2}O\rightarrow\:H_{3}O^{+}\:+\:SO_{4}^{+}}$$

• The reaction of Hydrogen sulphate with nitrate results in the formation of sulphate ions and nitrous acid. The reaction is,

$$\mathrm{HSO_{4}^{-}\:+\:NO_{4}^{-}\:\rightarrow\:SO_{4}^{2-}\:+\:HNO_{2}}$$

Uses of Hydrogen Sulphate

There are many applications for Hydrogen sulphate. The weak acidity and characteristics of chemical properties made it more useful in the laboratory and other industrial uses. Some of them are listed below.

• It is used in wastewater treatment for the removal of chlorine residues.

• Hydrogen sulphate is used instead of the chemical compound sulphur dioxide in the liquid form.

• The sodium salt of Hydrogen sulphate is used for the preparation of nitre cake.

• It is used for producing Sulphuric acid.

• It is used for producing Sulphur trioxide.

What are the differences between Hydrogen Sulphate and Hydrogen Sulphide?

Hydrogen sulphate and Hydrogen sulphide are important chemical compounds that contain sulphur. Hydrogen sulphide has the chemical formula $\mathrm{H_{2}S}$, and Hydrogen sulphate has the chemical formula 𝐻𝑆𝑂−. Even though it has common elements the physical and chemical properties of these compounds are different. Some of the differences between these two chemical compounds are tabulated below.

Solved Questions

Example 1

1) How do you find the oxidation number of S in hydrogen sulphate?

The knowledge of the oxidation state of other elements will help in the calculation of the oxidation state of an unknown element. Sulphur, S in Hydrogen sulphate can be found in this way. The oxidation number of Hydrogen is one, and the oxidation number of Oxygen is -2. The overall charge of Hydrogen sulphate is -1. So, the oxidation state or number can be calculated by putting the oxidation state of Sulfur as x.

$$\mathrm{1\:+\:x\:+\:(-2)\:\times\:4\:=\:-1}$$

$$\mathrm{1\:+\:x\:-\:8\:=\:-1}$$

$$\mathrm{x\:-\:7\:=\:-1}$$

$$\mathrm{x\:=\:+6}$$

So, the oxidation number of S in Hydrogen sulphate is +6.

Example 2

2) We all know that hydrogen sulphate or 𝑯𝑺𝑶− acts as either a base or acid in water. So, in which of the following equations, does hydrogen sulphate act as an acid, and why?

• $\mathrm{HSO^{-}\:+\:H_{2}O\rightarrow\:H_{2}SO_{4}\:+\:OH^{-}}$

• $\mathrm{HSO_{4}^{-}\:+\:OH^{-}\:\rightarrow\:H_{2}SO_{4}\:+\:O_{2}^{-2}}$

• $\mathrm{HSO_{4}^{-}\:+\:H_{2}O\:\rightarrow\:SO_{4}^{2-}\:+\:H_{3}O^{+}}$

• $\mathrm{HSO^{-}\:+\:H_{3}O^{+}\rightarrow\:SO_{3}\:+\:2H_{2}O}$

An acid is a compound when it releases the proton present in them. So in the given equations the one which releases 𝐻+ or $\mathrm{H_{3}O^{+}}$ ions are considered a reaction in which the Hydrogen sulphate can act as acids. The 3rd option is an example of a reaction where Hydrogen sulphate acts as an acid. Since $\mathrm{H_{3}O^{+}}$ is formed. The reaction is,

$$\mathrm{HSO_{4}^{-}\:+\:H_{2}O\rightarrow\:SO_{4}^{-2}\:+\:H_{3}O^{+}}$$

All the other equations are examples of reactions in which Hydrogen sulphate acts as a base by losing 𝑶𝑯− ions or accepting 𝐻+ ions.

Conclusion

Hydrogen sulphate is an inorganic salt with a chemical formula 𝐻𝑆𝑂−. So, it is an anion. It is also given the name bisulphites since it is present in the compound sodium bisulphate. It is mainly obtained from sulphuric acid, so it is moderately acidic and often used instead of Sulfuric acid in many chemical reactions. Hydrogen sulphate has a tetrahedral geometry with sulphur at the centre and all the oxygen surrounding it. The use of this chemical compound is in wastewater treatment and also for the preparation of other important chemicals. Hydrogen sulphide is also another compound that contains sulphur. But Hydrogen sulphate and hydrogen sulphide are different chemical compounds with different properties.

FAQs

1. What is the melting point of hydrogen sulphate?

59 °𝐶 is the melting point of Hydrogen sulphate. It is the melting point of the salt of this sulphate, Sodium bisulphate.

2. What is the pH of Hydrogen sulphate?

Hydrogen sulphate is a weak acid salt and has a pH of 1.

3. What are the uses of Hydrogen sulphide?

Hydrogen sulphide is used for the preparation of sulphur, sulphides of inorganic compounds that can be used in the manufacture of pesticides, dyes, pharma products, etc. It is also used in the preparation of sulphuric acid, heavy water, etc.

4. What is dehydration?

The process or the chemical reactions which involve the loss of water molecules is called dehydration. And is a reaction just opposite to the process of hydration. There are several dehydrating agents’ sulphuric acid is an important example. Hydrogen sulphate also acts as a dehydrating agent in a particular amount.

5. Is hydrogen sulphate soluble in water?

The salt of this compound Sodium bisulphate, $\mathrm{NaHSO_{4}}$ is moderately soluble in water. Almost all metal Sulfates are soluble in water.