Sulphuric Acid – Structure, Properties, and Molecular Weight

Sulphuric acid is a colourless, corrosive mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4. It is a diprotic acid with two protons available to donate to other molecules. It is the most important industrial chemical in the world, used to produce a vast array of products.

Sulphuric acid is a strong acid with a pKa of −3. It is a versatile chemical able to donate protons to a wide range of molecules. This makes it useful in a variety of industrial applications. Its most common use is in the production of fertilizers, where it is used to convert phosphate rocks into phosphoric acid. This acid is then used to produce fertilizers such as ammonium phosphate.

Sulphuric acid is also used to produce detergents, where it is used to convert linear alkylbenzene into sulfonates. These detergents are then used to produce laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, and other cleaning products.

Sulphuric acid is also used in the production of petrochemicals. In this application, it is used to convert methanol into methyl sulfate. This methyl sulfate is then used to produce plastics, solvents, and other petrochemical products.

Sulphuric acid has a number of important properties that make it useful

H2SO4 Chemical Name

H2SO4 is sulfuric acid. It is a colorless, oily liquid that is soluble in water. It is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns. It is used in various industrial applications, including the production of fertilizers, explosives, and pigments.

H2SO4 Structure

H2SO4 is a strong acid made up of two hydrogen atoms and one sulfur atom. The sulfur atom is bonded to the two hydrogen atoms to form a sulfur dioxide molecule. The sulfur dioxide molecule is then bonded to two more hydrogen atoms to form the molecule of sulfuric acid.

Properties of Sulphuric Acid

• Sulphuric acid is a colourless, odourless, viscous liquid with a density of about 1.84 g/cm3. It is a strong acid and is fully ionised in an aqueous solution. The anion is sulphate (SO4 2-), the conjugate base of sulphuric acid.
• Sulphuric acid is a very strong acid and is fully ionised in an aqueous solution. The anion is sulphate (SO4 2-), the conjugate base of sulphuric acid.
• Sulphuric acid is a very corrosive substance. It reacts with many metals to produce hydrogen gas and sulphate salts. It is also a powerful dehydrating agent, capable of removing water from organic molecules.

Molecular Weight of Sulphuric Acid

The molecular weight of sulphuric acid is 98.07 g/mol.

H2SO4 Molar Mass

98.07 g/mol

Sulphuric Acid Uses

Sulphuric acid is a colorless, corrosive mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4. It is a strong acid that is soluble in water. It is produced in large quantities as a by-product of the chemical industry and is used in various applications. Some of the most common uses of sulphuric acid include:

Production of fertilizers: Sulphuric acid is used to produce fertilizers such as ammonium sulphate, superphosphate, and triple superphosphate.

Production of chemicals: Sulphuric acid produces a wide range of chemicals, including detergents, plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.

Production of metals: Sulphuric acid is used to produce metals such as copper, lead, and zinc.

Production of paper: Sulphuric acid is used to produce paper and cardboard.

Other applications: Sulphuric acid is also used to produce paints, solvents, and explosives.

Physical Properties of Sulphuric Acid

The density of sulphuric acid is 1.84 g/mL. It is a colorless liquid that is soluble in water. It is a corrosive acid that can cause severe burns.