Sodium sulfite can be used as:
- A source of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the synthesis of 1,4 diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) (DABSO).
- A reducing agent in the photocatalytic cyclization of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers to synthesize 2-CF2/CF3-containing benzothiazoles in the presence of Ir-based catalyst.
- A reagent in the selective synthesis of 2-amino-1-iodonaphthalene from 2-naphthylamine in the presence of NaIO3/HCl.
In combination with carboxylic acids, it forms an effective system for the reductive acylation of aromatic nitro compounds.