Selenous acid facts for kids
Selenous acid, also known as selenious acid, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is H2SeO3. It is a type of acid that contains hydrogen and selenite ions.
Quick facts for kids Selenous acid |
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| IUPAC name | Selenous acid Selenic(IV) acid |
| Other names | Selenious acid |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | |
| Molar mass | 0 g mol-1 |
| Appearance | white hygroscopic crystals |
| Density | 3.0 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | |
| very soluble | |
| Solubility | soluble in ethanol |
| Acidity (pKa) | 2.46, 7.3 |
| Conjugate base | Hydrogenselenite |
| Related compounds | |
| Other anions | selenic acid hydrogen selenide |
| Other cations | sodium selenite |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
Contents
What is Selenous Acid?
Selenous acid is a chemical that looks like white crystals. It is a hygroscopic substance, which means it easily absorbs moisture from the air. This acid is considered a weak acid, but it is still very important in chemistry.
How is it Made?
Making selenous acid is quite simple. It is created by dissolving selenium dioxide in water. When these two substances mix, they react to form selenous acid.
Uses of Selenous Acid
Selenous acid has a few interesting uses:
- Dyeing Steel: It is used to give steel a special blue-grey color. This can be useful for making tools or other metal objects look different.
- Organic Chemistry: It plays a role in making certain organic compounds. These are special chemicals that contain carbon and are important in many areas, from medicines to plastics.
Safety Information
Selenous acid is a substance that needs to be handled with great care. It is considered very toxic. Even a small amount can be harmful if it gets into the body. Because of this, only trained professionals should work with selenous acid, and they must always use proper safety equipment.
Related Topics
See also
In Spanish: Ácido selenoso para niños
