Formation of sulfite-like species on Cr2O3 after SO2 chemisorption

►The adsorption of SO2 on polycrystalline Cr2O3 was investigated using TPD. ►The adsorption of SO2 on Cr2O3 (0001) was investigated using DFT. ►SO2 chemisorbs on Cr2O3 (0001) in a sulfite-like geometry. ►SO2 is thermodesorbed at about 870 °C. ►No stable sulfate-like species were found on Cr2O3 (0001).