In chemistry, an arsenite is a chemical compound containing an arsenicoxoanion where arsenic has oxidation state +3. Note that in fields that commonly deal with groundwater chemistry, arsenite is used generically to identify soluble AsIII anions. IUPAC have recommended that arsenite compounds are to be named as arsenate, for example ortho-arsenite is called trioxidoarsenate. Ortho-arsenite contrasts to the corresponding anions of the lighter members of group 15, phosphite which has the structure and nitrite, which is bent. A number of different arsenite anions are known:
ortho-arsenite, an ion of arsenous acid, with a pyramidal shape
In all of these the geometry around the AsIII centers are approximately trigonal, the lone pair on the arsenic atom is stereochemically active. Well known examples of arsenites include sodium meta-arsenite which contains a polymeric linear anion,, and silver ortho-arsenite, Ag3AsO3, which contains the trigonal anion.
Preparation of arsenites
Some arsenite salts can be prepared from an aqueous solution of As2O3. Examples of these are the meta-arsenite salts and at low temperature, hydrogen arsenite salts can be prepared, such as Na2, NaAsO2·4H2O, Na2·5H2O and Na5·12H2O
Arsenic can enter groundwater due to naturally occurring arsenic at deeper levels or from mine workings. Arsenic can be removed from water by a number of methods, oxidation of AsIII to AsV for example with chlorine followed by coagulation with for example iron sulfate. Other methods include ion-exchange and filtration. Filtration is only effective if arsenic is present as particulates, if the arsenite is in solution it passes through the filtration membrane.
Some species of bacteria obtain their energy by oxidizing various fuels while reducing arsenates to form arsenites. The enzymes involved are known as arsenate reductases. In 2008, bacteria were discovered that employ a version of photosynthesis with arsenites as electron donors, producing arsenates. The researchers conjectured that historically these photosynthesizing organisms produced the arsenates that allowed the arsenate-reducing bacteria to thrive. In humans, arsenite inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase in the pyruvate–acetyl CoA reaction, by binding to the –SH group of lipoamide, a participant coenzyme. It also inhibits the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex by the same mechanism. The inhibition of these enzymes disrupts energy production.
