HYDROLYTIC REACTIONS OF DISULPHUR MONOXIDE IN A HOMOGENEOUS MEDIUM

Abstract

The hydrolytic reactions of disulphur monoxide are studied in a homogeneous medium. Alkaline hydrolysis gives a mixture of sulphide, sulphite, and thiosulphate. Hydrolysis in the presence of sulphite in neutral medium gives equimolar amounts of trithionate and thiosulphate. These reactions are closely similar to the reactions of derivatives of thiosulphurous acid. The production of trithionate is explained on the basis of the formation of thiosulphurous acid as the primary product during hydrolysis and therefore it is suggested that disulphur monoxide is the true anhydride of this acid.