Answer to Question #6253 in Inorganic Chemistry for Ryan

Question

Hello, We know that Sodium Chorite when acidified produces chlorine dioxide, but does Sodium Choride also produce a gas when acidified? Thanks!

Answer 1

Sodium Chorite is a salt of a weak Chlorous acid. The pure substance is unstable:
4*HClO₂ = HCl + HClO₃ + 2*ClO₂ + H₂O
Sodium Chorite and Sulphuric acid reaction:
4*NaClO₂ + 2*H₂SO₄ = 2*Na₂SO₄ + HCl + HClO₃ + 2*ClO₂ + H₂O

Sodium Choride also produce a gas when acidified, but only by more strong acid, than Hydrochloric acid:
NaCl + H₂SO₄ → NaHSO₄ + HCl(gas)