The experimental work shows that sodium sulfite, with only traces of sulfate, is formed. Berthelot reported reaction (1) as the primary reaction on fusing the potassium salts with potash. In view of this, in several of the runs the residual gas left in the bomb after the slight pressure had been released was swept out by nitrogen and bubbled through dilute bromine water. No appreciable decolorization occurred at any time. Thus, qualitatively at least, ...
