What Is The Crystal Structure Of Sodium Hydrosulfite?

The crystal structure of sodium hydrosulfite, also known as sodium dithionite, has been determined using X-ray diffraction analysis. It belongs to the monoclinic crystal system, with space group C2/c and unit cell dimensions of a = 9.911 Å, b = 5.722 Å, c = 7.768 Å, β = 98.1°. The structure consists of Na+ cations and HSO3- anions arranged in alternating layers parallel to the (010) plane. The HSO3- anions are distorted tetrahedra with S-O bond lengths ranging from 1.396 to 1.492 Å, while Na+ ions are coordinated by six oxygen atoms in distorted octahedral geometry. The crystal packing is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between HSO3- anions.