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Arsenous acid

Arsenous acid
Structural formula
Ball-and-stick model
Names
IUPAC name
Arsorous acid
Other names
Arsenious acid
Arsenic oxide
Identifiers
13464-58-9 YesY
3D model (Jmol) Interactive image
ChEBI CHEBI:49900 YesY
ChemSpider 530 YesY
DrugBank DB04456 YesY
PubChem 545
Properties
H3AsO3
Molar mass 125.94 g/mol
Appearance Only exists in aqueous solutions
-51.2·10−6 cm3/mol
Hazards
Main hazards Toxic, corrosive
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)
[1910.1018] TWA 0.010 mg/m3
REL (Recommended)
Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 [15-minute]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
Ca [5 mg/m3 (as As)]
Related compounds
Related compounds
Arsenic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
YesY  (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Arsenous acid (or arsenious acid) is the inorganic compound with the formula H3AsO3. It is known to occur in aqueous solutions, but it has not been isolated as a pure material, although this fact does not detract from the significance of As(OH)3.

As(OH)3 is a pyramidal molecule consisting of three hydroxyl groups bonded to arsenic. The 1H NMR spectrum of arsenous acid solutions consists of a single signal consistent with the molecule's high symmetry. In contrast, the nominally related phosphorus species H3PO3 mainly adopts the structure HPO(OH)2; P(OH)3 is a very minor equilibrium component of such solutions. The differing behaviors of the As and P compounds reflect a trend whereby high oxidation states are more stable for lighter members of main group elements than their heavier congeners.

The preparation of As(OH)3 involves a slow hydrolysis of arsenic trioxide in water. Addition of base converts arsenous acid to the arsenite ions [AsO(OH)2], [AsO2(OH)]2−, and [AsO3]3−. The first pKa is 9.2, As(OH)3 is a weak acid. Reactions attributed to aqueous arsenic trioxide are due to arsenous acid and its conjugate bases.

Arsenic-containing compounds are highly toxic and carcinogenic. The anhydride form of arsenous acid, arsenic trioxide, is used as a herbicide, pesticide, and rodenticide.


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