Sodium Bisulphite
Sodium Bisulphite
WHAT IS SODIUM BISULPHITE
Sodium Bisulphite is an inorganic sodium salt that has a role as a mutagen. It is salt of bisulphite, that contains a hydrogen sulfite. Sodium bisulfite is an ingredient in parenteral nutrition products. These products are for patients with severe liver disorders. It reacts with dissolved oxygen and acids. It has its other name as sodium pyrosulphite.
Sodium Bisulfite appears as white crystalline powder with a slight sulfurous odor. It has a specific gravity 1.48. It is freely soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohols. It is unstable in the presence of air and should be stored is air-tight container at a cool place. On exposure to the air it is oxidized to sulphate. Though it is non-flammable compound but on heating to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of sodium monoxide. It is toxic by inhalation and ingestion. Its aqueous solution is acid. Sodium Bisulphite has a refractive index of 1.526. It is a reducing agent. On contact with mineral acids, it evolves toxic gas of Sulphur dioxide. It has a disagreeable tatste. It is incompatible with oxidizing agents
Some of the uses of Sodium Bisulphite are given below;
- It works as a reducing agent in dye baths.
- It serves as an antioxidant in the solution of drugs containing phenol.
- It is used to remove permanganate stains.
- Sodium Bisulphite is used in the manufacturing of injections.
- It is utilized as a disinfectant for wool and leather.
- It is used in water treatment products
- It functions as a digestive aid, and antichlor in papermaking vats
- Sodium bisulfite is helpful in photographic developing solutions.
This salt of sodium is not soluble in ethanol. It has viscosity as 3.64 mPa at below room temperature. Its vapor pressure is 2.4 at 20C. Sodium bisulfite is prepared by saturating sodium carbonate with Sulphur dioxide and then the solution is crystallized. Sodium Bisulphite is chiefly obtained as a by-product when phenol is prepared in the laboratory.