Question:

Which among the following is NOT the use of $\text{SO}_2$ gas?

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Always carefully differentiate between the oxidation states of sulfur gases: $\text{SO}_2$ is sulfur(IV) oxide, while $\text{SO}_3$ is sulfur(VI) oxide. It is exclusively the higher oxidized state, $\text{SO}_3$, that combines with sulfuric acid to give oleum.
Updated On: Jun 4, 2026
  • As a preservative
  • In manufacture of $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$
  • With conc. $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$ it forms oleum
  • As an antichlor
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The problem asks us to identify the statement that describes an incorrect chemical chemical property or application of sulfur dioxide ($\text{SO}_2$) gas from the given multiple-choice options.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the standard industrial and laboratory applications of sulfur dioxide ($\text{SO}_2$):

Preservative: Due to its strong antimicrobial and antioxidant nature, $\text{SO}_2$ is widely used as a preservative in food industries, particularly for dried fruits and winemaking.

Manufacture of $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$: In the Contact Process, $\text{SO}_2$ is an essential starting intermediate which undergoes catalytic oxidation to produce sulfur trioxide ($\text{SO}_3$).

Antichlor: $\text{SO}_2$ acts effectively as an antichlor because it reduces residual chlorine gas into harmless chloride ions after bleaching operations in textile and paper pulp mills.
Now let's look at the chemistry of oleum formation:
Oleum (fuming sulfuric acid, $\text{H}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_7$) is chemically synthesized by dissolving sulfur trioxide ($\text{SO}_3$) gas directly into highly concentrated sulfuric acid ($\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$):
$$ \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 + \text{SO}_3 \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_7 $$ Sulfur dioxide ($\text{SO}_2$) gas does not react directly with concentrated $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$ to form oleum. Therefore, the statement in option (C) is factually incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer: The statement that is NOT a correct use or property of $\text{SO}_2$ is option (C).
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