What is "sodium bisulfite"

alt. (context inorganic compound English) The mono sodium salt of sulfurous acid, NaHSO₃, used as a food preservative and as a reagent in organic synthesis. n. (context inorganic compound English) The mono sodium salt of sulfurous acid, NaHSO₃, used as a food preservative and as a reagent in organic synthesis.

Sodium bisulfite (sodium hydrogen sulfite) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula NaHSO. Sodium bisulfite is a food additive with E number E222. This salt of bisulfite can be prepared by bubbling sulfur dioxide in a solution of sodium carbonate in water. Sodium bisulfite in contact with chlorine bleach (aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite) will generate heat and form sodium bisulfate and sodium chloride.