THE SULPHURIC ACID SOLVENT SYSTEM: PART IV. SULPHATOCOMPOUNDS OF ARSENIC (III)
The cryoscopic and conductimetric behavior of arsenic (III) oxide in 100% sulphuric acid and in dilute oleum have been investigated. It is concluded that in very dilute solutions in 100% sulphuric acid, arsenic (III) oxide forms arsonyl (III) hydrogen sulphate, AsO.HSO4, which is partly ionized to give the AsO+ cation. Both these species probably exist mainly in solvated forms, e.g., As(OH)(SO4H)2, and As(OH)(SO4H)+ respectively. At higher concentrations polymeric species such as HO.As(HSO4)OAs(HSO4)2 are present in increasing amounts and eventually the insoluble polymeric compound [(AsO)2SO4]n separates from solution. In oleum the more sulphated species As(HSO4)3, [(HSO4)2As]2O, and [(HSO4)2As]2SO4 are formed. Related structures are proposed for some previously prepared compounds of arsenic (III) oxide and sulphur trioxide.