Old Nassau Reaction - Chemical Equation

Chemical Equation

The reactions involved are as follows:

  1. Na2S2O5 + H2O → 2 NaHSO3
  2. IO3- + 3 HSO3- → I- + 3 SO42- + 3 H+
    This reaction reduces iodate ions to iodide ions.
  3. Hg2+ + 2 I- → HgI2
    Orange mercury iodide solid is precipitated until the mercury is used up.
  4. IO3- + 5 I- + 6 H+ → 3 I2 + 3 H2O
    The excess I- and IO3- undergo the iodide-iodate reaction
  5. I2 + starch → a blue/black complex
    A blue/black starch-iodine complex is formed.

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