Arsenous acid
Arsenous acid, also known as arsenious acid, is a chemical compound. It is also an acid. Its chemical formula is As(OH)3. It has arsenic and hydroxide ions in it. The arsenic is in its +3 oxidation state.
Properties
Arsenous acid is a colorless solution. It is a weak acid. It reacts with bases to make arsenite salts. It is highly toxic. It cannot be made in a crystalline form because it turns into arsenic trioxide and water again. It is similar to phosphorous acid, although it is not a strong reducing agent.
Preparation
It is made by dissolving arsenic trioxide or arsenic trichloride in water.
Arsenous Acid Media
Phosphorous acid exists in as the dihydroxy tautomer in contrast to arsenous acid.
