Equilibrium quotient for the isomerization of bisulfite ion from HSO3- to SO3H-

Separate peaks in the oxygen-17 NMR spectra of sodium bisulfite solutions provide direct evidence for the existence in solution of two isomers of bisulfite ion: one with the proton bonded to the sulfur atom (HS0 3 -) and the other with the proton bonded to an oxygen atom (so 3 H-).The equilibrium quotient for the isomerization reaction was determined from measurements of peak areas, and was found to be 4.9 ± 0.1 at 298 Kin solutions of ionic strength 1.0 m.The more abundant isomer exchanges oxygen atoms with water more rapidly than does the other, and on this basis is identified tentatively