H2SO3 + 4 HI → S + 2 I2 + 3 H2O

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

SIV + 4 e- → S0 (reduction)

4 I-I - 4 e- → 4 I0 (oxidation)

H2SO3 is an oxidizing agent, HI is a reducing agent.

Reactants:

  • H2SO3 – Sulfurous acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: S(O)(OH)2 source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Sulphurous acid source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • HI – Iodane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Hydroiodic acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Hydrogen iodide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Hydronium iodide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Colorless liquid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04

Products:

  • S
    • Names: Sulfur source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, S source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Sulphur source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Yellow solid in various forms source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • I2
    • Names: Iodine source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Jod source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Iode source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Bluish black or dark purple crystals with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Violet solid with a sharp, characteristic odor. source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27