Sulfuric acid
IUPAC name	sulfuric acid
Other names	hydrogen sulfate oil of vitriol
Identifiers
CAS number	[7664-93-9]
RTECS number	WS5600000
Properties
Molecular formula	H2SO4
Molar mass	98. IUPAC Nomenclature is a system of naming Chemical compounds and of describing the science of Chemistry in general CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for Chemical compounds Polymers biological sequences mixtures and Alloys They are also referred to Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances ( RTECS) is a Database of Toxicity information compiled from the open scientific literature without reference A chemical formula is a way of expressing information about the Atoms that constitute a particular Chemical compound, and how the relationship between those atoms changes Molar mass, symbol M, is the Mass of one mole of a substance ( Chemical element or Chemical compound) 078 g/mol
Appearance	clear, colorless, odorless liquid
Density	1. The density of a material is defined as its Mass per unit Volume: \rho = \frac{m}{V} Different materials usually have different 84 g cm−3, liquid
Melting point	10 °C, 283 K, 50 °F
Boiling point	290 °C, 563 K, 554 °F (bp of pure acid. The melting point of a solid is the temperature range at which it changes state from solid to Liquid. The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the Vapor pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the liquid 98% solution boils at 338°C)
Solubility in water	fully miscible (exothermic)
Viscosity	26. Solubility is the characteristic Physical property referring to the ability of a given substance the Solute, to dissolve in a Solvent. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a Fluid which is being deformed by either Shear stress or Extensional stress. 7 cP at 20°C
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
EU classification	Highly Corrosive (C)
NFPA 704	0 3 2 COR
R-phrases	R35
S-phrases	(S1/2), S26, S30, S45
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related strong acids	Hydrochloric acid Nitric acid Hydroiodic acid Hydrobromic acid
Related compounds	Hydrogen sulfide Sulfurous acid Peroxymonosulfuric acid Sulfur trioxide Oleum
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	n, εr, etc. The poise (symbol P pwɑːz is the unit of dynamic Viscosity in the Centimetre gram second system of units. A material safety data sheet ( MSDS) is a form containing data regarding the properties of a particular substance This page provides supplementary data on Sulfuric acid. Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification packaging and labelling Symbolism The four divisions are typically color-coded with blue indicating level of Health Hazard, red indicating R-phrases (short for Risk Phrases) are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous R-phrases (short for Risk Phrases) are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest Temperature at which it can form an ignitable mixture in air A Strong acid is an Acid that Ionizes completely in an Aqueous solution (not in the case of Sulfuric acid as it is diprotic Hydrochloric acid is the Solution of Hydrogen chloride ( H[[Chlorine Cl]] in water Nitric acid ( H[[nitrate NO3]] also known as Aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and Hydrogen iodide (HI is a Diatomic molecule. Aqueous solutions of HI are known as hydroiodic acid or hydriodic acid, a Strong acid. Hydrobromic Acid is formed by dissolving the diatomic molecule Hydrogen bromide in water Hydrogen sulfide (or hydrogen sulphide) is the Chemical compound with the formula H 2 S. Sulfurous acid is the Chemical compound with the formula H2SO3 Peroxymonosulfuric acid, also known as persulfuric acid, peroxysulfuric acid, or as Caro's acid, is H2SO5 a colorless solid melting Sulfur trioxide (also spelled sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3 Oleum ( Latin oleum = "oil" or fuming sulfuric acid refers to a solution various compositions of Sulfur trioxide in Sulfuric This page provides supplementary data on Sulfuric acid. This page provides supplementary data on Sulfuric acid. The refractive index (or index of Refraction) of a medium is a measure for how much the speed of light (or other waves such as sound waves is reduced inside the medium Measurement The relative static permittivity εr can be measured for static Electric fields as follows first the Capacitance of a test
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Sulfuric acid H₂SO₄, is a strong mineral acid. This page provides supplementary data on Sulfuric acid. This page provides supplementary data on Sulfuric acid. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy or ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry ( UV/ VIS) involves the Spectroscopy of Photons in the UV-visible Infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy is the subset of Spectroscopy that deals with the Infrared region of the Electromagnetic spectrum. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, most commonly known as NMR spectroscopy, is the name given to a technique which exploits the magnetic properties of certain nuclei Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that identifies the chemical composition of a compound or sample based on the Mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles In Chemistry, the standard state of a material is its state at 1 bar (100 Kilopascals exactly Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the A Strong acid is an Acid that Ionizes completely in an Aqueous solution (not in the case of Sulfuric acid as it is diprotic A mineral acid is an Acid derived by Chemical reaction from inorganic Minerals as opposed to Organic acids These have Hydrogen It is soluble in water at all concentrations. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. It was once known as oil of vitriol, coined by the 8th-century Muslim alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber) after his discovery of the chemical. For the 12th century astronomer see Jabir ibn Aflah. For the anonymous 14th century Spanish alchemist see Pseudo-Geber. ^[1]

Sulfuric acid has many applications, and is one of the top products of the chemical industry. The chemical industry comprises the companies that produce industrial chemicals World production in 2001 was 165 million metric tons, with an approximate value of US$8 billion. This article is about the tonne or metric ton For other tons see Ton. Principal uses include ore processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis. An ore is a volume of rock containing components or Minerals in a mode of occurrence that renders it valuable for mining Fertilizers ( also spelt fertiliser are chemical compounds given to Plants to promote growth they are usually applied either through the soil for uptake by plant An oil refinery is an industrial Process plant where Crude oil is processed and refined into more useful Petroleum products, such as Gasoline Distinguish from Wastwater (a lake in the Lake District in northwest England In Chemistry, chemical synthesis is purposeful execution of Chemical reactions in order to get a product, or several products Its ability to produce foul-smelling sulfur compounds has lent the word vitriol the additional meaning "bitter, abusive language".

Many proteins are made of sulfur-containing amino acids (such as cysteine and methionine) which produce sulfuric acid (or sulfate ion, SO₄^2- at neutral pH) when metabolized by the body. Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 In Computer science, ACID ( Atomicity Consistency Isolation Durability) is a set of properties that guarantee that Database transactions are Not to be confused with Cystine, its oxidized dimer Cysteine (abbreviated as Cys or C) is an α- Amino acid with Methionine ( abbreviated as Met or M) is an α- Amino acid with the Chemical formula HO2CCH(NH2CH2CH2SCH3 Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life.

Contents 1 Occurrence 1.1 Extraterrestrial sulfuric acid 2 Manufacture 3 Physical properties 3.1 Forms of sulfuric acid 3.2 Polarity and conductivity 4 Chemical properties 4.1 Reaction with water 4.2 Other reactions 5 Uses 5.1 Sulfur-iodine cycle 6 History 7 Safety 7.1 Laboratory hazards 7.2 Industrial hazards 8 Legal restrictions 9 In fiction 10 References 11 External links

Occurrence

Pure undiluted sulfuric acid is not encountered on Earth, due to sulfuric acid's great affinity for water. Apart from that, sulfuric acid is a constituent of acid rain, which is formed by atmospheric oxidation of sulfur dioxide in the presence of water, i. Acid rain is Rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually Acidic It has harmful effects on plants aquatic animals and infastructure Redox (shorthand for reduction-oxidation reaction describes all Chemical reactions in which atoms have their Oxidation number ( Oxidation state Water ( H2[[oxygen O]] H OH) is the most abundant Molecule on Earth 's surface composing of about 70% of the Earth's surface as e. , oxidation of sulfurous acid. Sulfurous acid is the Chemical compound with the formula H2SO3 Sulfur dioxide is the main byproduct produced when sulfur-containing fuels such as coal or oil are burnt.

Sulfuric acid is formed naturally by the oxidation of sulfide minerals, such as iron sulfide. The resulting water can be highly acidic and is called Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Acid mine drainage ( AMD) or acid rock drainage ( ARD) refers to the outflow of Acidic water from (usually abandoned Metal mines This acidic water is capable of dissolving metals present in sulfide ores, which results in brightly-coloured, toxic streams. The oxidation of iron sulfide pyrite (FeS₂) by molecular oxygen produces iron(II), or Fe²⁺:

2 FeS₂ + 7 O₂ + 2 H₂O → 2 Fe²⁺ + 4 SO₄²⁻ + 4 H⁺

The Fe²⁺ can be further oxidized to Fe³⁺, according to:

4 Fe²⁺ + O₂ + 4 H⁺ → 4 Fe³⁺ + 2 H₂O

and the Fe³⁺ produced can be precipitated as the hydroxide or hydrous oxide. In Chemistry, hydroxide is the most common name for the diatomic Anion OH− consisting of Oxygen and Hydrogen The equation for the formation of the hydroxide is

Fe³⁺ + 3 H₂O → Fe(OH)₃ + 3 H⁺

The iron(III) ion ("ferric iron", in casual nomenclature) can also oxidize pyrite. When iron(III) oxidation of pyrite occurs, the process can become rapid. pH values below zero have been measured in AMD produced by this process.

AMD can also produce sulfuric acid at a slower rate, so that the acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of the aquifer can neutralise the produced acid. Acid-neutralizing capacity or ANC in short is a measure for the overall buffering capacity against Acidification for a solution e In such cases, the total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of the water can be increased form the dissolution of minerals from the acid-neutralisation reaction with the minerals. Total Dissolved Solids (often abbreviated TDS) is an expression for the combined content of all Inorganic and organic substances contained in a liquid

Extraterrestrial sulfuric acid

Sulfuric acid is produced in the upper atmosphere of Venus by the sun's photochemical action on carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water vapour. The VENUS ( V ictoria E xperimental N etwork U nder the S ea project is a cabled sea floor observatory operated by the University Photochemistry, a sub-discipline of Chemistry, is the study of the interactions between Atoms, small Molecules, and light (or Electromagnetic radiation Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Ultraviolet photons of wavelengths less than 169 nm can photodissociate carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and atomic oxygen. Ultraviolet ( UV) light is Electromagnetic radiation with a Wavelength shorter than that of Visible light, but longer than X-rays In Physics, the photon is the Elementary particle responsible for electromagnetic phenomena A nanometre ( American spelling: nanometer, symbol nm) ( Greek: νάνος nanos dwarf; μετρώ metrό count) is a Photodissociation, photolysis, or photodecomposition is a Chemical reaction in which a Chemical compound is broken down by Photons Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Carbon monoxide, with the chemical formula CO is a colorless odorless tasteless yet highly toxic Gas. Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Atomic oxygen is highly reactive. When it reacts with sulfur dioxide, a trace component of the Venerian atmosphere, the result is sulfur trioxide, which can combine with water vapor, another trace component of Venus's atmosphere, to yield sulfuric acid. Sulfur trioxide (also spelled sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3

CO₂ → CO + O

SO₂ + O → SO₃

SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄

In the upper, cooler portions of Venus's atmosphere, sulfuric acid exists as a liquid, and thick sulfuric acid clouds completely obscure the planet's surface when viewed from above. A cloud is a visible mass of droplets or frozen crystals floating in the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth or another Planetary body The main cloud layer extends from 45–70 km above the planet's surface, with thinner hazes extending as low as 30 and as high as 90 km above the surface. The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand

Infrared spectra from NASA's Galileo mission show distinct absorptions on Jupiter's moon Europa that have been attributed to one or more sulfuric acid hydrates. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program Galileo was an Unmanned spacecraft sent by NASA to study the Planet Jupiter and its moons Named after the Astronomer TemplateInfobox Planet.--> Europa (jʊˈroʊpə; or as The interpretation of the spectra is somewhat controversial. Some planetary scientists prefer to assign the spectral features to the sulfate ion, perhaps as part of one or more minerals on Europa's surface. ^[2]

Manufacture

Main article: Contact process

Sulfuric acid is produced from sulfur, oxygen and water via the contact process. The contact process is the current method of producing Sulfuric acid in the high concentrations needed for industrial processes Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. The contact process is the current method of producing Sulfuric acid in the high concentrations needed for industrial processes

In the first step, sulfur is burned to produce sulfur dioxide. Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16

(1) S(s) + O₂(g) → SO₂(g)

This is then oxidised to sulfur trioxide using oxygen in the presence of a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst. A solid' object is in the States of matter characterized by resistance to Deformation and changes of Volume. This page is about the physical properties of gas as a state of matter Sulfur trioxide (also spelled sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Vanadium(V oxide ( vanadia) is the Chemical compound with the formula V2O5 Catalysis is the process in which the rate of a Chemical reaction is increased by means of a Chemical substance known as a catalyst

(2) 2 SO₂ + O₂(g) → 2 SO₃(g)     (in presence of V₂O₅)

Finally the sulfur trioxide is treated with water (usually as 97-98% H₂SO₄ containing 2-3% water) to produce 98-99% sulfuric acid. Vanadium(V oxide ( vanadia) is the Chemical compound with the formula V2O5 Sulfur trioxide (also spelled sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3

(3) SO₃(g) + H₂O(l) → H₂SO₄(l)

Note that directly dissolving SO₃ in water is not practical due to the highly exothermic nature of the reaction, forming a corrosive mist instead of a liquid. Liquid is one of the principal States of matter. A liquid is a Fluid that has the particles loose and can freely form a distinct surface at the boundaries of An exothermic reaction is a Chemical reaction that releases Heat. A chemical reaction is a process that always results in the interconversion of Chemical substances The substance or substances initially involved in a chemical reaction are called Alternatively, SO₃ can be absorbed into H₂SO₄ to produce oleum (H₂S₂O₇), which may then be mixed with water to form sulfuric acid. Oleum ( Latin oleum = "oil" or fuming sulfuric acid refers to a solution various compositions of Sulfur trioxide in Sulfuric

(3) H₂SO₄(l) + SO₃ → H₂S₂O₇(l)

Oleum is reacted with water to form concentrated H₂SO₄.

(4) H₂S₂O₇(l) + H₂O(l) → 2 H₂SO₄(l)

Physical properties

Forms of sulfuric acid

Although nearly 100% sulfuric acid can be made, this loses SO₃ at the boiling point to produce 98. Sulfur trioxide (also spelled sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3 3% acid. The 98% grade (18M) is more stable in storage, and is the usual form of what is described as concentrated sulfuric acid. Other concentrations are used for different purposes. In Chemistry, concentration is the measure of how much of a given substance there is mixed with another substance Some common concentrations are

• 10%, dilute sulfuric acid for laboratory use,
• 33. 5%, battery acid (used in lead-acid batteries),
• 62. Lead-acid batteries, invented in 1859 by French Physicist Gaston Planté, are the oldest type of Rechargeable battery. 18%, chamber or fertilizer acid,
• 77. 67%, tower or Glover acid,
• 98%, concentrated acid.

Different purities are also available. Technical grade H₂SO₄ is impure and often colored, but is suitable for making fertilizer. Pure grades such as United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) grade are used for making pharmaceuticals and dyestuffs. The United States Pharmacopeia is an official public standards–setting authority for all prescription and over–the–counter medicines and other health care products manufactured A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied

When high concentrations of SO_3(g) are added to sulfuric acid, H₂S₂O₇, called pyrosulfuric acid, fuming sulfuric acid or oleum or, less commonly, Nordhausen acid, is formed. This page is about the physical properties of gas as a state of matter Oleum ( Latin oleum = "oil" or fuming sulfuric acid refers to a solution various compositions of Sulfur trioxide in Sulfuric Oleum ( Latin oleum = "oil" or fuming sulfuric acid refers to a solution various compositions of Sulfur trioxide in Sulfuric Concentrations of oleum are either expressed in terms of% SO₃ (called% oleum) or as% H₂SO₄ (the amount made if H₂O were added); common concentrations are 40% oleum (109% H₂SO₄) and 65% oleum (114. 6% H₂SO₄). Pure H₂S₂O₇ is a solid with melting point 36°C.

Polarity and conductivity

Anhydrous H₂SO₄ is a very polar liquid, having a dielectric constant of around 100. As a general term a substance is said to be anhydrous if it contains no Water. "Polar molecule" and "Non-polar" redirect here Measurement The relative static permittivity εr can be measured for static Electric fields as follows first the Capacitance of a test It has a high electrical conductivity, caused by dissociation through protonating itself, a process known as autoprotolysis, or autoionization. In chemistry protonation is the addition of a proton ( H[[Cation +]] to an Atom, Molecule, or Ion. Autoionization is a process by which Atoms or Molecules spontaneously transition from an electrically neutral state to a lower-energy Ionized ^[3]

2 H₂SO₄ ⇌ H₃SO₄⁺ + HSO₄⁻

The equilibrium constant for the autoprotolysis is^[3]

K_ap(25°C)= [H₃SO₄⁺][HSO₄⁻] = 2. For a general Chemical reaction \alpha A +\beta B. \rightleftharpoons \sigma S+\tau T. 7 × 10⁻⁴.

The comparable equilibrium constant for water, K_w is 10⁻¹⁴, a factor of 10¹⁰ (10 billion) smaller. The self-ionization of water (also autoionization of water, and autodissociation of water) is the chemical reaction in which two water molecules react to produce a

In spite of the viscosity of the acid, the effective conductivities of the H₃SO₄⁺ and HSO₄⁻ ions are high due to an intra-molecular proton-switch mechanism (analogous to the Grotthuss mechanism in water), making sulfuric acid a good conductor. Molar conductivity is defined as the conductivity of an Electrolyte Solution divided by the Molar concentration of the electrolyte and so measures The Grotthuss Mechanism is the mechanism by which an 'excess' Proton or protonic defect diffuses through the Hydrogen bond network of water molecules or other It is also an excellent solvent for many reactions.

The equilibrium is actually more complex than shown above; 100% H₂SO₄ contains the following species at equilibrium (figures shown as millimol per kg solvent): HSO₄⁻ (15. In a Chemical process, chemical equilibrium is the state in which the chemical activities or Concentrations of the reactants and products have no net change 0), H₃SO₄⁺ (11. 3), H₃O⁺ (8. 0), HS₂O₇⁻ (4. 4), H₂S₂O₇ (3. Oleum ( Latin oleum = "oil" or fuming sulfuric acid refers to a solution various compositions of Sulfur trioxide in Sulfuric 6), H₂O (0. 1). ^[3]

Chemical properties

Reaction with water

The hydration reaction of sulfuric acid is highly exothermic. In Organic chemistry, a hydration reaction is a Chemical reaction in which a Hydroxyl group (OH- and a Hydrogen Cation An exothermic reaction is a Chemical reaction that releases Heat. If water is added to the concentrated sulfuric acid, it can react, boil and spit dangerously. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. One should always add the acid to the water rather than the water to the acid. The necessity for this safety precaution is due to the relative densities of these two liquids. Water is less dense than sulfuric acid, meaning water will tend to float on top of this acid. The density of a material is defined as its Mass per unit Volume: \rho = \frac{m}{V} Different materials usually have different The reaction is best thought of as forming hydronium ions, by

H₂SO₄ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + HSO₄⁻,

and then

HSO₄⁻ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + SO₄²⁻. In Chemistry, hydronium is the obsolete name for the Cation H 3 O + derived from Protonation of Water

Because the hydration of sulfuric acid is thermodynamically favorable, sulfuric acid is an excellent dehydrating agent. In Physics, thermodynamics (from the Greek θερμη therme meaning " Heat " and δυναμις dynamis meaning " The affinity of sulfuric acid for water is sufficiently strong that it will remove hydrogen and oxygen atoms from other compounds; for example, mixing starch (C₆H₁₂O₆)_n and concentrated sulfuric acid will give elemental carbon and water which is absorbed by the sulfuric acid (which becomes slightly diluted): (C₆H₁₂O₆)_n → 6C + 6H₂O. Water ( H2[[oxygen O]] H OH) is the most abundant Molecule on Earth 's surface composing of about 70% of the Earth's surface as Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Starch, CAS # 9005-25-8 Chemical formula (C6H10O5n is a Polysaccharide Carbon (kɑɹbən is a Chemical element with the symbol C and its Atomic number is 6 The effect of this can be seen when concentrated sulfuric acid is spilled on paper; the cellulose reacts to give a burned appearance, the carbon appears much as soot would in a fire. Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of Exothermic chemical reactions between a Fuel and an Oxidant accompanied by the production of Carbon (kɑɹbən is a Chemical element with the symbol C and its Atomic number is 6 A more dramatic reaction occurs when sulfuric acid is added to a tablespoon of white sugar; a rigid column of black, porous carbon will quickly emerge. Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose. The carbon will smell strongly of caramel. Caramel (pronounced /ˈkærəmɛl/ or /ˈkɑrməl/ refers to a range of confections that are Beige to dark brown in Color, derived from the

Other reactions

As an acid, sulfuric acid reacts with most bases to give the corresponding sulfate. In Chemistry, a base is most commonly thought of as an aqueous substance that can accept Protons This refers to the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and For example, copper(II) sulfate. Copper(II sulfate is the Chemical compound with the formula Cu[[Sulfur S]] O 4 This blue salt of copper, commonly used for electroplating and as a fungicide, is prepared by the reaction of copper(II) oxide (CuO) with sulfuric acid:

CuO + H₂SO₄ → CuSO₄+ H₂O

Sulfuric acid can also be used to displace weaker acids from their salts. Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 Electroplating is the process of using electrical current to reduce Cations of a desired material from a solution and coat a conductive object Fungicides are Chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill or inhibit fungi or fungal spores Copper(II oxide or cupric oxide (CuO is the higher Oxide of Copper. Reaction with sodium acetate, for example, displaces acetic acid:

H₂SO₄ + CH₃COONa → NaHSO₄ + CH₃COOH

Similarly, reacting sulfuric acid with potassium nitrate can be used to produce nitric acid and a precipitate of potassium bisulfate. Sodium acetate, (also sodium ethanoate) is the Sodium salt of Acetic acid. Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound, giving Vinegar its sour taste Potassium nitrate is a Chemical compound with the Chemical formula K[[Nitrogen N]] O 3 Nitric acid ( H[[nitrate NO3]] also known as Aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and Potassium bisulfate is the Potassium salt of Bisulfate anion with the molecular formula KHSO4 When combined with nitric acid, sulfuric acid acts both as an acid and a dehydrating agent, forming the nitronium ion NO₂⁺, which is important in nitration reactions involving electrophilic aromatic substitution. Nitric acid ( H[[nitrate NO3]] also known as Aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and The nitronium ion (improperly called nitryl ion, because it is not a radical 2+ is a generally unstable Cation created by the removal of an Nitration is a general Chemical process for the introduction of a nitro group into a Chemical compound. Electrophilic aromatic substitution or EAS is an Organic reaction in which an atom usually Hydrogen, appended to an aromatic system is replaced This type of reaction, where protonation occurs on an oxygen atom, is important in many organic chemistry reactions, such as Fischer esterification and dehydration of alcohols. Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Organic chemistry is a discipline within Chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure properties composition reactions, and preparation Fischer esterification or Fischer-Speier esterification is a special type of Esterification and the process of forming an Ester by Refluxing a

Sulfuric acid reacts with most metals via a single displacement reaction to produce hydrogen gas and the metal sulfate. Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Dilute H₂SO₄ attacks iron, aluminium, zinc, manganese, magnesium and nickel, but reactions with tin and copper require the acid to be hot and concentrated. Iron (ˈаɪɚn is a Chemical element with the symbol Fe (ferrum and Atomic number 26 WikipediaNaming Zinc (ˈzɪŋk from Zink is a Metallic Chemical element with the symbol Zn and Atomic number 30 Manganese (ˈmæŋgəniːz is a Chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. Magnesium (mægˈniːziəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Mg, Atomic number 12 Atomic weight 24 Nickel (ˈnɪkəl is a metallic Chemical element with the symbol Ni and Atomic number 28 Tin is a Chemical element with the symbol Sn (stannum and Atomic number 50 Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 Lead and tungsten, however, are resistant to sulfuric acid. Characteristics Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, Ductile, very soft highly Tungsten (ˈtʌŋstən also known as wolfram (/ˈwʊlfrəm/ is a Chemical element that has the symbol W and Atomic number 74 The reaction with iron (shown) is typical for most of these metals, but the reaction with tin is unusual in that it produces sulfur dioxide rather than hydrogen.

Fe(s) + H₂SO₄(aq) → H₂(g) + FeSO₄(aq)

Sn(s) + 2 H₂SO₄(aq) → SnSO₄(aq) + 2 H₂O(l) + SO₂(g)

Sulfuric acid undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution with aromatic compounds to give the corresponding sulfonic acids:^[4]

Uses

Sulfuric acid is a very important commodity chemical, and indeed, a nation's sulfuric acid production is a good indicator of its industrial strength. Electrophilic aromatic substitution or EAS is an Organic reaction in which an atom usually Hydrogen, appended to an aromatic system is replaced Sulfonic acid is an unstable Acid with the formula H-S(=O2-OH ^[5] The major use (60% of total production worldwide) for sulfuric acid is in the "wet method" for the production of phosphoric acid, used for manufacture of phosphate fertilizers as well as trisodium phosphate for detergents. Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V acid, is a mineral (inorganic acid having the Chemical formula A phosphate, an Inorganic chemical, is a salt of Phosphoric acid. Fertilizers ( also spelt fertiliser are chemical compounds given to Plants to promote growth they are usually applied either through the soil for uptake by plant Trisodium phosphate (TSP available at most hardware stores in white powder form is a cleaning agent stain remover and Degreaser, commonly used to prepare surfaces for In this method, phosphate rock is used, and more than 100 million tonnes are processed annually. This raw material is shown below as fluorapatite, though the exact composition may vary. Fluorapatite, often with the alternate spelling of fluoroapatite, is a Mineral with the formula Ca5(PO43F (calcium halophosphate This is treated with 93% sulfuric acid to produce calcium sulfate, hydrogen fluoride (HF) and phosphoric acid. Calcium sulfate is a common laboratory and industrial chemical Structure HF forms orthorhombic crystals consisting of zig-zag chains of HF molecules Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V acid, is a mineral (inorganic acid having the Chemical formula The HF is removed as hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is a Solution of Hydrogen fluoride in Water. The overall process can be represented as:

Ca₅F(PO₄)₃ + 5 H₂SO₄ + 10 H₂O → 5 CaSO₄•2 H₂O + HF + 3 H₃PO₄. Fluorapatite, often with the alternate spelling of fluoroapatite, is a Mineral with the formula Ca5(PO43F (calcium halophosphate Water ( H2[[oxygen O]] H OH) is the most abundant Molecule on Earth 's surface composing of about 70% of the Earth's surface as Calcium sulfate is a common laboratory and industrial chemical Structure HF forms orthorhombic crystals consisting of zig-zag chains of HF molecules Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V acid, is a mineral (inorganic acid having the Chemical formula

Sulfuric acid is used in large quantities by the iron and steelmaking industry to remove oxidation, rust and scale from rolled sheet and billets prior to sale to the automobile and white-goods industry. Iron (ˈаɪɚn is a Chemical element with the symbol Fe (ferrum and Atomic number 26 Steel is an Alloy consisting mostly of Iron, with a Carbon content between 0 Rust is a general term for a series of Iron oxides, usually red oxides formed by the reaction of Iron with Oxygen in the presence of water or air Used acid is often recycled using a Spent Acid Regeneration (SAR) plant. These plants combust spent acid with natural gas, refinery gas, fuel oil or other fuel sources. This combustion process produces gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and sulfur trioxide (SO₃) which are then used to manufacture "new" sulfuric acid. SAR plants are common additions to metal smelting plants, oil refineries, and other industries where sulfuric acid is consumed in bulk, as operating a SAR plant is much cheaper than the recurring costs of spent acid disposal and new acid purchases.

Ammonium sulfate, an important nitrogen fertilizer, is most commonly produced as a byproduct from coking plants supplying the iron and steel making plants. Ammonium sulfate, (NH42SO4 is an inorganic chemical compound commonly used as a fertilizer Reacting the ammonia produced in the thermal decomposition of coal with waste sulfuric acid allows the ammonia to be crystallized out as a salt (often brown because of iron contamination) and sold into the agro-chemicals industry. Ammonia is a compound with the formula N[[hydrogen H3]] It is normally encountered as a Gas with a characteristic pungent Odor

Another important use for sulfuric acid is for the manufacture of aluminium sulfate, also known as paper maker's alum. Aluminium sulfate, written as Al 2( S[[Oxygen O4]]3 or Al 2 O12[[Sulfur S]]3 This can react with small amounts of soap on paper pulp fibers to give gelatinous aluminium carboxylates, which help to coagulate the pulp fibers into a hard paper surface. Paper pulp is a Material for making Paper. It is usually Cellulose fibre, and could be Wood pulp or Non-wood pulp See A carboxylate anion is an Ion with Negative charge that contains the group -COO&minus It is also used for making aluminium hydroxide, which is used at water treatment plants to filter out impurities, as well as to improve the taste of the water. Aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH3 is the most stable form of Aluminium in normal conditions Water treatment describes those processes used to make water more acceptable for a desired end-use Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Aluminum sulfate is made by reacting bauxite with sulfuric acid:

Al₂O₃ + 3 H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3 H₂O. Bauxite is the most important Aluminium Ore. It consists largely of the minerals Gibbsite Al(OH3 Boehmite γ-AlO(OH and Aluminium sulfate, written as Al 2( S[[Oxygen O4]]3 or Al 2 O12[[Sulfur S]]3 Water ( H2[[oxygen O]] H OH) is the most abundant Molecule on Earth 's surface composing of about 70% of the Earth's surface as

Sulfuric acid is used for a variety of other purposes in the chemical industry. For example, it is the usual acid catalyst for the conversion of cyclohexanoneoxime to caprolactam, used for making nylon. Caprolactam is an Organic compound which is a Lactam of 6-aminohexanoic acid (ε-aminohexanoic acid Aminocaproic acid) Overview Nylon is a Thermoplastic silky material first used commercially in a nylon- Bristled Toothbrush (1938 followed more famously by It is used for making hydrochloric acid from salt via the Mannheim process. Hydrochloric acid is the Solution of Hydrogen chloride ( H[[Chlorine Cl]] in water Salt is a Dietary mineral composed primarily of Sodium chloride that is essential for Animal life but toxic to most land plants The Mannheim process is an important method for the manufacture of Hydrogen chloride and Sodium sulfate from Sodium chloride (table salt and Sulfuric Much H₂SO₄ is used in petroleum refining, for example as a catalyst for the reaction of isobutane with isobutylene to give isooctane, a compound that raises the octane rating of gasoline (petrol). Petroleum ( L petroleum, from Greek πετρέλαιον, lit Isobutane, also known as methylpropane or 2-methylpropane, is an Alkane, Isomeric with Butane. Isobutylene (or 2-methylpropene is a Hydrocarbon of significant industrial importance 224-Trimethylpentane, also known as isooctane, is an Octane Isomer which defines the 100 point on the Octane rating scale The octane rating is a measure of the resistance of Gasoline and other Fuels to Detonation ( Engine knocking) in spark-ignition Sulfuric acid is also important in the manufacture of dyestuffs, pigments (such as titanium dioxide), solutions, and is the "acid" in lead-acid (car) batteries. A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium(IV oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring Oxide of Titanium, chemical formula Ti[[oxygen

Sulfuric acid is also used as a general dehydrating agent in its concentrated form (see Reaction with water). Sulfuric (or sulphuric acid, H 2 S[[oxygen O]]4 is a strong Mineral acid.

Sulfur-iodine cycle

The sulfur-iodine cycle is a series of thermo-chemical processes used to obtain hydrogen. The sulfur-iodine cycle (S-I cycle is a series of thermochemical processes used to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 It consists of three chemical reactions whose net reactant is water and whose net products are hydrogen and oxygen. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the

2 H2SO4 → 2 SO2 + 2 H2O + O2		(830°C)
I2 + SO2 + 2 H2O → 2 HI + H2SO4		(120°C)
2 HI → I2 + H2		(320°C)

The sulfur and iodine compounds are recovered and reused, hence the consideration of the process as a cycle. Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Iodine (ˈaɪədaɪn ˈaɪədɪn or /ˈaɪədiːn/ from ιώδης iodes "violet" is a Chemical element that has the symbol I and Atomic Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Iodine (ˈaɪədaɪn ˈaɪədɪn or /ˈaɪədiːn/ from ιώδης iodes "violet" is a Chemical element that has the symbol I and Atomic Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Iodine (ˈaɪədaɪn ˈaɪədɪn or /ˈaɪədiːn/ from ιώδης iodes "violet" is a Chemical element that has the symbol I and Atomic Iodine (ˈaɪədaɪn ˈaɪədɪn or /ˈaɪədiːn/ from ιώδης iodes "violet" is a Chemical element that has the symbol I and Atomic Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Iodine (ˈaɪədaɪn ˈaɪədɪn or /ˈaɪədiːn/ from ιώδης iodes "violet" is a Chemical element that has the symbol I and Atomic This process is endothermic and must occur at high temperatures, so energy in the form of heat has to be supplied. In Thermodynamics, the word endothermic "within-heating" describes a process or reaction that absorbs Energy in the form of Heat.

The sulfur-iodine cycle has been proposed as a way to supply hydrogen for a hydrogen-based economy. The hydrogen economy is a proposed method of deriving the Energy needed for Motive power (cars boats airplanes buildings or portable electronics by reacting It does not require hydrocarbons like current methods of steam reforming. In Organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an Organic compound consisting entirely of Hydrogen and Carbon. Steam reforming (SR hydrogen reforming or catalytic oxidation, is a method of producing Hydrogen from Hydrocarbons.

The sulfur-iodine cycle is currently being researched as a feasible method of obtaining hydrogen, but the concentrated, corrosive acid at high temperatures poses currently insurmountable safety hazards if the process were built on large-scale.

History

The discovery of sulfuric acid is credited to the 8th century Arabian chemist and alchemist, Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber). For the 12th century astronomer see Jabir ibn Aflah. For the anonymous 14th century Spanish alchemist see Pseudo-Geber. The acid was later studied by 9th century Persian physician and alchemist Ibn Zakariya al-Razi (Rhazes), who obtained the substance by dry distillation of minerals including iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate, FeSO₄ • 7H₂O, and copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate, CuSO₄ • 5H₂O. Dry distillation is the Heating of Solid materials to produce Liquid or Gaseous products (which may condense into solids Iron(II sulfate or ferrous sulfate is the Chemical compound with the formula ( Fe[[Sulfur S]] O 4 Copper(II sulfate is the Chemical compound with the formula Cu[[Sulfur S]] O 4 When heated, these compounds decompose to iron(II) oxide and copper(II) oxide, respectively, giving off water and sulfur trioxide, which combine to produce a dilute solution of sulfuric acid. Iron(II oxide, also known as ferrous oxide, iron oxide/oxidized iron or more commonly rusted Copper(II oxide or cupric oxide (CuO is the higher Oxide of Copper. Water ( H2[[oxygen O]] H OH) is the most abundant Molecule on Earth 's surface composing of about 70% of the Earth's surface as Sulfur trioxide (also spelled sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3 This method was popularized in Europe through translations of Arabic and Persian treatises, as well as books by European alchemists, such as the 13th-century German Albertus Magnus.

Sulfuric acid was known to medieval European alchemists as oil of vitriol, spirit of vitriol, or simply vitriol, among other names. The word vitriol derives from the Latin vitreus, 'glass', referring to the glassy appearance of the sulfate salts, which also carried the name vitriol. Salts called by this name included copper(II) sulfate (blue vitriol, or rarely Roman vitriol), zinc sulfate (white vitriol), iron(II) sulfate (green vitriol), iron(III) sulfate (vitriol of Mars), and cobalt(II) sulfate (red vitriol). Copper(II sulfate is the Chemical compound with the formula Cu[[Sulfur S]] O 4 Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Zinc sulfate ( Zn[[Sulfate SO4]] is a colorless crystalline water-soluble Chemical compound. Iron(II sulfate or ferrous sulfate is the Chemical compound with the formula ( Fe[[Sulfur S]] O 4 Iron(III sulfate, is the compund of Iron and Sulfate (made of Sulfur and Oxygen atoms Cobalt (II sulfate is the Sulfate salt of divalent Cobalt. Properties Anhydrous Cobalt(IIsulfate appears as red monoclinic crystals that melt at 96

Vitriol was widely considered the most important alchemical substance, intended to be used as a philosopher's stone. Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of The philosopher's stone (lapis philosophorum Greek: Chrysopoeia) is a Legendary substance supposedly capable of turning inexpensive Metals Highly purified vitriol was used as a medium for reacting other substances. This was largely because the acid does not react with gold, production of which was often the final goal of alchemical processes. Gold (ˈɡoʊld is a Chemical element with the symbol Au (from its Latin name aurum) and Atomic number 79 The importance of vitriol to alchemy is highlighted in the alchemical motto, Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem which is a backronym meaning ('Visit the interior of the earth and rectifying (i. A backronym (or bacronym) is a Phrase that is constructed "after the fact" from a previously existing word or Abbreviation, the abbreviation e. purifying) you will find the hidden/secret stone'), found in L'Azoth des Philosophes by the 15th Century alchemist Basilius Valentinus, . Basilius Valentinus, also known under the Anglicized version of his name Basil Valentine was a 15th-century alchemist.

In the 17th century, the German-Dutch chemist Johann Glauber prepared sulfuric acid by burning sulfur together with saltpeter (potassium nitrate, KNO₃), in the presence of steam. Johann Rudolf Glauber ( 1604 (? March 10 1670) a German - Dutch alchemist and Chemist. Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Potassium nitrate is a Chemical compound with the Chemical formula K[[Nitrogen N]] O 3 Potassium nitrate is a Chemical compound with the Chemical formula K[[Nitrogen N]] O 3 As saltpeter decomposes, it oxidizes the sulfur to SO₃, which combines with water to produce sulfuric acid. In 1736, Joshua Ward, a London pharmacist, used this method to begin the first large-scale production of sulfuric acid. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom.

In 1746 in Birmingham, John Roebuck adapted this method to produce sulfuric acid in lead-lined chambers, which were stronger, less expensive, and could be made larger than the previously used glass containers. Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um This article is about the English inventor For the 19th century British politician see John Arthur Roebuck. Characteristics Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, Ductile, very soft highly This lead chamber process allowed the effective industrialization of sulfuric acid production. The lead chamber process was an industrial process used to produce relatively strong concentrations of Sulfuric acid in large quantities After several refinements, this method remained the standard for sulfuric acid production for almost two centuries. ^[6][7]

Sulfuric acid created by John Roebuck's process only approached a 35–40% concentration. Later refinements to the lead-chamber process by French chemist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac and British chemist John Glover improved the yield to 78%. Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac (also Louis Joseph Gay-Lussac, December 6, 1778 – May 9, 1850) was a French chemist John Glover may refer to John Glover (general (1732&ndash1797 American general John Glover (artist (1767&ndash1849 English-Australian However, the manufacture of some dyes and other chemical processes require a more concentrated product. A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied Throughout the 18th century, this could only be made by dry distilling minerals in a technique similar to the original alchemical processes. Dry distillation is the Heating of Solid materials to produce Liquid or Gaseous products (which may condense into solids Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Pyrite (iron disulfide, FeS₂) was heated in air to yield iron (II) sulfate, FeSO₄, which was oxidized by further heating in air to form iron(III) sulfate, Fe₂(SO₄)₃, which, when heated to 480 °C, decomposed to iron(III) oxide and sulfur trioxide, which could be passed through water to yield sulfuric acid in any concentration. Iron(II sulfate or ferrous sulfate is the Chemical compound with the formula ( Fe[[Sulfur S]] O 4 Iron(III sulfate, is the compund of Iron and Sulfate (made of Sulfur and Oxygen atoms Iron(III oxide —also known as ferric oxide, Hematite, red iron oxide, synthetic maghemite, colcothar, or simply Rust —is Sulfur trioxide (also spelled sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3 Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. However, the expense of this process prevented the large-scale use of concentrated sulfuric acid.

In 1831, British vinegar merchant Peregrine Phillips patented the contact process, which was a far more economical process for producing sulfur trioxide and concentrated sulfuric acid. Vinegar is an acidic liquid processed from the Fermentation of Ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient Acetic acid (also called ethanoic acid The contact process is the current method of producing Sulfuric acid in the high concentrations needed for industrial processes Today, nearly all of the world's sulfuric acid is produced using this method.

Safety

Laboratory hazards

The corrosive properties of sulfuric acid are accentuated by its highly exothermic reaction with water. An exothermic reaction is a Chemical reaction that releases Heat. Water ( H2[[oxygen O]] H OH) is the most abundant Molecule on Earth 's surface composing of about 70% of the Earth's surface as Hence burns from sulfuric acid are potentially more serious than those of comparable strong acids (e. g. hydrochloric acid), as there is additional tissue damage due to dehydration and particularly due to the heat liberated by the reaction with water; i. Hydrochloric acid is the Solution of Hydrogen chloride ( H[[Chlorine Cl]] in water e. secondary thermal damage. The danger is obviously greater with more concentrated preparations of sulfuric acid, but it should be remembered that even the normal laboratory "dilute" grade (approx. 1 M, 10%) will char paper by dehydration if left in contact for a sufficient amount of time. Solutions equal to or stronger than 1. 5 M should be labeled CORROSIVE, while solutions greater than 0. 5 M but less than 1. 5 M should be labeled IRRITANT. Fuming sulfuric acid (oleum) is not recommended for use in schools due to it being quite hazardous. The standard first aid treatment for acid spills on the skin is, as for other corrosive agents, irrigation with large quantities of water. Corrosion means the breaking down of essential properties in a material due to Chemical reactions with its surroundings However, the acid should be neutralised first by rinsing with a base (e. g. calcium hydroxide solution), because the water used in washing will react with the acid and increase the chance of secondary damage. Washing should be continued for at least ten to fifteen minutes in order to cool the tissue surrounding the acid burn and to prevent secondary damage. Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and the underlying skin washed thoroughly.

Preparation of the diluted acid can also be dangerous due to the heat released in the dilution process. It is essential that the concentrated acid is added to water and not the other way round, to take advantage of the relatively high heat capacity of water. Specific heat capacity, also known simply as specific heat, is the measure of the heat energy required to increase the Temperature of a unit quantity Addition of water to concentrated sulfuric acid leads at best to the dispersal of a sulfuric acid aerosol, at worst to an explosion. Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas An explosion is a sudden increase in Volume and release of Energy in an extreme manner usually with the generation of high Temperatures and the release Preparation of solutions greater than 6 M (35%) in concentration is the most dangerous, as the heat produced can be sufficient to boil the diluted acid: efficient mechanical stirring and external cooling (e. g. an ice bath) are essential.

Industrial hazards

Although sulfuric acid is non-flammable, contact with metals in the event of a spillage can lead to the liberation of hydrogen gas. Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 The dispersal of acid aerosols and gaseous sulfur dioxide is an additional hazard of fires involving sulfuric acid.

Sulfuric acid is not considered toxic besides its obvious corrosive hazard, and the main occupational risks are skin contact leading to burns (see above) and the inhalation of aerosols. ^[8] Exposure to aerosols at high concentrations leads to immediate and severe irritation of the eyes, respiratory tract and mucous membranes: this ceases rapidly after exposure, although there is a risk of subsequent pulmonary edema if tissue damage has been more severe. Pulmonary Edema (American English or oedema (British English is swelling and/or fluid accumulation in the Lungs It leads to impaired gas exchange and may cause At lower concentrations, the most commonly reported symptom of chronic exposure to sulfuric acid aerosols is erosion of the teeth, found in virtually all studies: indications of possible chronic damage to the respiratory tract are inconclusive as of 1997. In humans the respiratory tract is the part of the Anatomy that has to do with the process of respiration. In the United States, the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for sulfuric acid is fixed at 1 mg/m³: limits in other countries are similar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Permissible Exposure Limit ( PEL or OSHA PEL) is a legal limit in the United States for exposure of an employee to a Substance Interestingly there have been reports of sulfuric acid ingestion leading to vitamin B12 deficiency with subacute combined degeneration. B12 deficiency is a reduction in Vitamin B12 from inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption The spinal cord is most often affected in such cases, but the optic nerves may show demyelination, loss of axons and gliosis. A demyelinating disease is any Disease of the Nervous system in which the Myelin sheath of Neurons is damaged An axon or nerve fiber is a long slender projectionof a nerve cell or Neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's Cell Gliosis is a proliferation of Astrocytes in damaged areas of the Central nervous system (CNS

Legal restrictions

International commerce of sulfuric acid is controlled under the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, which lists sulfuric acid under Table II of the convention as a chemical frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. The 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is one of three major drug control treaties currently in force ^[9]

In the United States of America, sulfuric acid is included in List II of the list of essential or precursor chemicals established pursuant to the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA maintains lists regarding not only the classification of Illicit drugs (see DEA Schedules) The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA maintains lists regarding not only the classification of Illicit drugs (see DEA Schedules) The Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 was an amendment to the Controlled Substances Act to regulate precursor chemicals essential chemicals Accordingly, transactions of sulfuric acid—such as sales, transfers, exports from and imports to the United States—are subject to regulation and monitoring by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA) is a United States Department of Justice Law enforcement agency tasked with combating drug smuggling and ^[10][11][12]

In fiction

In several films, cartoons and TV shows, especially Science-Fiction shows and films, sulfuric acid is sometimes depicted as a bubbling green steaming liquid, sometimes capable of dissolving almost anything in an instant. This is purely for visual appeal, since boiling green acid is more dangerous-looking than the actual clear and syrupy form of sulfuric acid. The use of sulfuric acid as a weapon in crimes of assault, known as "vitriol throwing", has at times been sufficiently common (if sensational) to make its way into novels and short stories. Examples include The Adventure of the Illustrious Client by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Love of Long Ago by Guy de Maupassant, Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell and Brighton Rock by Graham Greene. "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client", one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is one of 12 Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, DL (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930 was an Anglo-Scottish Author most noted for his stories about the Guy de Maupassant (gi də mopasɑ̃ (5 August 1850 &ndash 6 July 1893 was a popular 19th-century French Writer and considered one of the fathers of the modern Nineteen Eighty-Four (also titled 1984) by George Orwell (the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair) is a 1949 English Novel Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer Brighton Rock is a Novel by Graham Greene, published in 1938 and later made into a 1947 film of the same name. Henry Graham Greene OM, CH (2 October 1904 &ndash 3 April 1991 was an English writer best known as a novelist but who also produced Short stories The novel Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho talks of a girl who has attempted to commit suicide and ends up with vitriol poisoning. Veronika Decides to Die ( Portuguese: Veronika decide morrer) is a Novel by Paulo Coelho. Paulo Coelho (ˈpau̯lu ˈko̯eʎu (born August 24, 1947) is a Brazilian Lyricist and Novelist. The graphic novel, Shake Girl, is dedicated to over 100 Cambodian victims who have suffered from burns caused by sulfuric acid. In the movie Untraceable,Griffin Dowd ( played by Colin Hanks ) is submerged in sulfuric acid. Untraceable is a 2008 film thriller starring Diane Lane, Joseph Cross, Billy Burke and Colin Hanks. Colin Lewes Hanks (born November 24, 1977) is an American actor

References

External links

• International Chemical Safety Card 0362
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• External Material Safety Data Sheet
• Sulfuric acid analysis - titration freeware
• Sulfuric Acid density and pH-value at t=20°C

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