Selenite (ion)

Not to be confused with Selenite (mineral).

Selenite refers to the anion with the chemical formula SeO2−3. It is the oxyanion of selenium. It is the selenium analog of the sulfite ion, SO2−3. Thus selenite is pyramidal and selenium is assigned oxidation state +4. Selenite also refers to compounds that contains this ion, for example sodium selenite Na₂SeO₃ which is a common source of selenite.^[1] Selenite also refers to the esters of selenous acid, for example dimethyl selenite (CH₃)₂SeO₃.

Structure of selenite

Space-filling model of selenite

Mn, Fe(III), Ni, Co, Cu selenites

Synthesis and reactions

Selenite salts can be prepared by neutralizing solutions of selenous acid, which is generated by dissolving selenium dioxide in water. The process proceeds via the hydrogenselenite ion, HSeO−3.

Most selenite salts can be formed by heating the metal oxide with selenium dioxide, e.g.:

Na₂O + SeO₂ → Na₂SeO₃