Infrared spectroscopy of SO2 aqueous solutions

The chemistry of SO2 solutions was studied with infrared transmission and total internal reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. The cross-sections of the SO2 stretching vibrations v1, v3 and the combination band of v1 + v3 were obtained and found to be slightly different from their gas phase values. Six features we associate with sulfur-containing ions were observed. We present the first infrared evidence for the bisulfite ion HOSO2- through detection of its OH stretching vibration. Other features may be associated with HSO3-, another isomer of the bisulfite ion, and a new compound we propose to be H2S2O6(2-). We found no evidence for sulfurous acid H2SO3.