Selenous acid - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Selenous_acid

Selenous acid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Selenous acid (or selenious acid) is the chemical

Selenous acid[1]
compound with the formula H2SeO3. Structurally, it is
more accurately described by (HO)2SeO. It is the
principal oxoacid of selenium; the other being selenic
acid.

Contents
1 Formation and properties
2 Uses
3 Health effects
4 References
Names
IUPAC name
Selenous acid
Formation and properties
Identifiers
Selenous acid is analogous to sulfurous acid, but it is CAS Number 7783-00-8
more readily isolated. Selenous acid is easily formed upon (http://www.commonchemistry.org
the addition of selenium dioxide to water. As a crystalline /ChemicalDetail.aspx?ref=7783-00-8)
solid, the compound can be seen as pyramidal molecules 3D model Interactive image
that are interconnected with hydrogen bonds. In solution it
(Jmol) (http://chemapps.stolaf.edu
is a diprotic acid:[3]
/jmol/jmol.php?model=O%3D%5BSe
+ %5D%28O%29O)
H2SeO3 H + HSeO3 (pKa = 2.62)
+ ChEBI CHEBI:26642 (https://www.ebi.ac.uk
HSeO3 H + SeO2
3 (pKa = 8.32) /chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=26642)

It is moderately oxidizing in nature, but kinetically slow. ChemSpider 1060 (http://www.chemspider.com

+ /Chemical-Structure.1060.html)
In 1 M H :
ECHA 100.029.067 (https://echa.europa.eu
+ InfoCard /substance-information/-/substanceinfo
H2SeO3 + 4 H + 4 e Se + 3 H2O
/100.029.067)
(Eo = +0.74 V)
KEGG D05814 (http://www.kegg.jp/entry

In 1 M OH : /D05814)
PubChem 1091

SeO2
3 +4e +
3 H2O Se + 6 OH (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
(Eo = 0.37 V) /compound/1091)
UNII F6A27P4Q4R
It is used in organic synthesis for the synthesis of
(http://fdasis.nlm.nih.gov
1,2-diketones (e.g. glyoxal).[4]
/srs/srsdirect.jsp?regno=F6A27P4Q4R)

Uses InChI
SMILES
The major use is in protecting and changing the color of
steel, especially steel parts on firearms.[5] The so-called Properties

1 of 3 2/9/2017 4:34 PM
Selenous acid - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenous_acid

cold-bluing process uses selenous acid, copper(II) nitrate, Chemical H2SeO3

and nitric acid to change the color of the steel from formula
silver-grey to blue-grey or black. Alternative procedures Molar mass 128.97 g/mol
use copper sulfate and phosphoric acid instead. This
Appearance white hygroscopic crystals
process deposits a coating of copper selenide and is
fundamentally different from other bluing processes Density 3.0 g/cm3
which generate black iron oxide. Some older razor blades Melting point decomposes at 70C
were also made of blued steel.[5] Solubility in very soluble
water
Another use for selenious acid is the chemical darkening Solubility soluble in ethanol
and patination of copper, brass and bronze, producing a
Acidity (pKa) 2.46, 7.3[2]
rich dark brown color that can be further enhanced with
mechanical abrasion. Magnetic 45.4106 cm3/mol
susceptibility
It can be use used as an oxidizing agent e.g. in laboratory ()
preparation of glyoxal (ethane-1,2-dione) from glycol. Related compounds
Other anions selenic acid
Selenious acid is a key component of the Mecke reagent
hydrogen selenide
used for drug checking.[6]
Other cations sodium selenite
Related sulfurous acid
Health effects compounds tellurous acid
polonous acid
Like many selenium compounds, selenous acid is highly
toxic in excessive quantities, and ingestion of any Except where otherwise noted, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 C [77 F],
significant quantity of selenous acid is usually fatal,
100 kPa).
however it is an approved dietary source in proper
amounts. Symptoms of selenium poisoning can occur verify (what is ?)
several hours after exposure, and may include stupor, Infobox references
nausea, severe hypotension and death.[7]

References
1. Lide, David R. (1998). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (87 ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. pp. 481.
ISBN 0-8493-0594-2.
2. Ka and pKa for Polyprotic Acids (http://www2.ucdsb.on.ca/tiss/stretton/database/polyprotic_acids.htm).
ucdsb.on.ca
3. Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
4. Glyoxal Bisulfite (http://www.orgsyn.org/demo.aspx?prep=CV3P0438), Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume
3, p.438 (1955).
5. Scarlato, E.A.; Higa, J. (28 June 1990). USES/HIGH RISK CIRCUMSTANCES OF POISONING "SELENIUM"
Check |url= value (help). Retrieved 29 December 2010.
6. "Colour Test Reagents-Kits for Preliminary Identification of Drugs of Abuse" (PDF). National Institute of Justice.
2000-07-01. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
7. MSDS for "Reagent for Special Opiates (Codeine, Heroin, & Morphine)" (http://www.sirchie.com
/msds/NARK20010.pdf), Sirchie Finger Print Laboratories, Inc. May 12, 2006. (The page cannot be found)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Selenous_acid&oldid=756068525"

Categories: Hydrogen compounds Selenites Oxidizing agents Oxidizing acids

This page was last modified on 21 December 2016, at 20:23.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may

2 of 3 2/9/2017 4:34 PM
Selenous acid - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenous_acid

apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered
trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

3 of 3 2/9/2017 4:34 PM