Question

Partial hydrolysis of one mole of peroxydisulphuric acid produces (1) Two moles of sulphuric acid (2) Two moles of peroxy monosulphuric acid (3) One mole of sulphuric acid and one mole of peroxy monosulphuric acid (4) Two moles of sulphuric acid and one mole of hydrogen peroxide

Short answer

(3) One mole of sulphuric acid and one mole of peroxy monosulphuric acid

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Chemical Reaction

Peroxydisulphuric acid (H2S2O8) undergoes partial hydrolysis. We need to determine the products formed from this reaction.

Write the Hydrolysis Reaction

The partial hydrolysis reaction of peroxydisulphuric acid is: H2S2O8 + H2O → H2SO4 + H2SO5 Here, H2SO4 is sulphuric acid and H2SO5 is peroxy monosulphuric acid.

Analyze the Products

The products of the reaction are one mole of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and one mole of peroxy monosulphuric acid (H2SO5).

Match the Products to the Given Options

Option (3) states that one mole of sulphuric acid and one mole of peroxy monosulphuric acid are produced. This matches our reaction analysis.

Key concepts

peroxydisulphuric acid

Peroxydisulphuric acid, also known as Marshall's acid, has the chemical formula H2S2O8. It is a powerful oxidizing agent due to the presence of a peroxo bridge between the two sulfur atoms. This compound is used industrially for various applications, including etching copper on printed circuit boards.
The structure of peroxydisulphuric acid consists of two sulfur atoms linked by a peroxide bond (−O−O−) and each sulfur atom is bonded to three oxygen atoms. Because of this structure, it has a unique reactivity, particularly in hydrolysis reactions.
Understanding the nature of peroxydisulphuric acid is pivotal in predicting the products formed upon its partial hydrolysis, as seen in the step-by-step solution.

hydrolysis reaction

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where a molecule is split into two parts by the addition of a water molecule. In the case of peroxydisulphuric acid, hydrolysis involves breaking the S−O bond and incorporating water molecules into the resulting compounds.
The general reaction for the partial hydrolysis of peroxydisulphuric acid is:
H2S2O8 + H2O → H2SO4 + H2SO5
As the water molecule interacts with the peroxydisulphuric acid, it yields sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and peroxy monosulphuric acid (H2SO5). This type of reaction is essential in understanding how different products are formed from a single reactant under hydrolysis conditions.

sulphuric acid

Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid. It is one of the products formed during the partial hydrolysis of peroxydisulphuric acid. Often referred to as the 'king of chemicals', sulphuric acid is widely used in various industries, including fertilizer production, mineral processing, and chemical synthesis.
Its chemical structure consists of a central sulfur atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, with two of these oxygen atoms also bonded to hydrogen. This structure gives sulphuric acid its strong acidic properties and its ability to act as an oxidizing and dehydrating agent.
The production of sulphuric acid from peroxydisulphuric acid showcases the versatility and reactivity of sulfur-containing compounds.

peroxy monosulphuric acid

Peroxy monosulphuric acid, also known as Caro's acid, has the chemical formula H2SO5. It is a strong oxidizer, similar to peroxydisulphuric acid. In the context of the partial hydrolysis reaction provided, it is one of the two main products formed.
The chemical structure of peroxy monosulphuric acid includes a sulfur atom centrally bonded to four oxygen atoms, one of which is a peroxide group (−O−O−), and two hydrogen atoms. This peroxide group imparts unique oxidative properties to the molecule.
During the partial hydrolysis of peroxydisulphuric acid, the product H2SO5 plays a significant role in various bleaching and cleaning applications due to its strong oxidative power. Understanding its formation helps in the broader application of sulfur-based oxidizers in industrial processes.