Uranium Sulphite

The existence of normal uranous sulphite has not been established. The addition of a saturated solution of an alkali sulphite to uranous chloride solution precipitates a greyish-green basic sulphite of composition UO.SO₃.2H₂O. When solutions of uranyl salts are treated with sodium bisulphite, a reddish-brown precipitate is produced which dissolves in excess of the reagent; by boiling such solutions the above basic sulphite is again precipitated. It is insoluble in water, but dissolves in a solution of sulphurous acid.