Arsenious Oxide : Preparation, Properties and Uses
Arsenious Oxide is also called Arsenic Trioxide.
Preparation of Arsenious Oxide
Arsenic trioxide is formed when arsenic is heated in air.
4As + 3O2 → 2As2O3
- Importance of Biomolecules in Life || What are the 4 main biomolecules?
- Valency of Elements || How to Find Valency || What is the Valency of the atom?
- Resonance effect or mesomeric effect || What is resonance effect with example?
On an industrial scale, it is produced by air-roasting arsenic pyrite.
2FeAsS + 5O2 → As2O3 + Fe2O3 + 2SO2
Arsenious Oxide Physical Properties
It is a white colored toxic solid substance. It is found in amorphous and crystal forms. In crystal form, its crystals are of rhombic and octahedral form.
Arsenious Oxide Chemical Properties
Reaction with water
It dissolves in water to form arsenious acid.
As2O3 + 3H2O → 2H3AsO3
Reaction with concentrated HCl
It reacts with concentrated HCl to form arsenic chloride.
As2O3 + 6HCl → 3H2O + 2AsCl3
Reaction with NaOH
Arsenious oxide is an amphoteric oxide. It reacts with both HCl and NaOH. It reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium arsenite (Na3AsO3).
As2O3 + 6NaOH → 3H2O + 2Na3AsO3
- Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones : Chemistry Page
- Arsenious Oxide : Preparation, Properties and Uses
- How to find Equivalent Weight in Chemistry ? Chemical Formula
- Oxidation Number : How to find Oxidation State
- Bleaching Powder : Preparation, uses of Bleaching Powder
- Iodine : Properties, Preparation and uses
- Bromine – Preparation, Physical and Chemical Properties a Uses
- Chlorine Property : Physical and Chemical Properties | Uses
Reaction with H2S
A yellow precipitate of arsenic sulfide is obtained when H2S gas is passed through a solution of As2O3.
As2O3 + 3H2S → 3H2O + As2S3
Reducing Properties
It reacts with halogens such as nitric acid, potessium parmagnet, hydrogen peroxide and ozone to form arsenic pentoxide(As2O5).
As2O3 + 2I2 + 2H2O → As2O5 + 4HI
As2O3 + 4HNO3 → As2O5 + 4NO2 + 2H2O
The As2O5 obtained in this reaction dissolves in water to form arsenic acid(H3AsO4).
As2O3 + 3H2O → 2H3AsO4
Oxidation Properties
It is itself reduced to arsenic by reacting with reducing agents such as SnCl2 and carbon and oxidizes these substances.
As2O3 + 3SnCl2 + 6HCl → 2As + 3SnCl4 + 3H2O
As2O3 + 3C → 2As + 3CO
Arsenious Oxide Uses
It is used to kill rats and flies.
Used to make medicines.
It is used to keep animal skins safe.
It is used for making glass and paint.