How Sulfuric Acid Reacts With H2O, Alcohol, Sugar, Chemicals

Pictured Here Is Sulfuric Acid In The Lab Alley Research Laboratory In Austin, Texas, December 12, 2021 - How To Safely Use, Handle, Store And Dispose Of Sulfuric Acid With Personal Protective Equipment PPE

Exothermic Reactions Of Sulfuric Acid With Water, Alcohol, Sugar And Metal

When sulfuric acid reacts exothermically with alcohol and water, the violent reaction releases heat. Watch how sulfuric acid reacts with other chemicals and substances in the following videos.

Find out how sulfuric acid reacts with water, sugar (carbon snake), alcohol, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide, iron, barium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid.

When diluted with water, sulfuric acid reacts with metal in a single displacement reaction, to produce flammable hydrogen gas, which is an explosion hazard.

When concentrated sulfuric acid is mixed with sugar, slow carbonification takes place.

Pictured above is a 30 mL bottle of ACS reagent grade 96% sulfuric acid with 4% water, purchased from Lab Alley.

When a base or alkaline solution is added to sulfuric acid, they react by neutralizing each other.

Common Sulfuric Acid Reactions

Watch How Sulfuric Acid Reacts With Different Things

YouTube Video Titled "How Sulphuric Acid Reacts with different things"
Uploaded to YouTube On August 1, 2019 by Naveed Zahir Creativity

How Sulfuric Acid Reacts

Watch How-To Sulfuric Acid Laboratory Chemistry Experiment Demonstration Videos

How Sulfuric Acid Reacts With Other Chemicals And Substances

Sulfuric Acid With Water

When you mix concentrated sulfuric acid and water, you pour the acid into a larger volume of water. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts very vigorously with water in a highly exothermic reaction. If you add water to concentrated sulfuric acid, it can boil and spit and you may get a nasty acid burn. Read more here.

YouTube Video Titled "Adding Water to Acid; Finally A Reaction!"
Uploaded to YouTube On November 11, 2014 by Cody'sLab

Sulfuric Acid With Sugar

A popular chemistry demonstration (carbon snake) mixes concentrated sulfuric acid with sugar to perform a dehydration reaction and a spectacular exothermic reaction. The reaction of sulfuric acid with sugar releases heat, steam and sulfur oxide fumes. The mixture expands because of vaporization of water and CO2.

YouTube Video Titled "Cool Science Experiment with Sugar and Sulfuric Acid"
Uploaded to YouTube on December 20, 2015 by Home Science

Watch this cool science experiment with Sulfuric Acid and Sugar. Sulfuric acid (96%) is mixed with sugar, which is attacked by the acid. The final products are carbon, water vapor, and sulfur dioxide gas.

Sulfuric Acid With Sodium Hydroxide

2NaOH + H2SO4 = Na2SO4 + 2H2O. If there is insufficient amount of NaOH, sodium bisulphate will also be formed. NaOH + H2SO4 = NaHSO4 +H2O. The reaction is highly exothermic as enormous amount of heat is liberated. Read more here.

YouTube Video Titled "Reaction between small amount of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide"
Uploaded to YouTube On March 24, 2020 by Rachel Maki

Sulfuric Acid With Hydrochloric Acid

The strength of reaction and the extent of oxidation will depend on concentration of H2SO4 both hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid are just ions dissolved in water at a certain percentage (i.e. 30%) So, mixing them will just be an aqueous solution, say 15%HCl and 20%H2SO4, a stronger or a weaker acid depending on the ratios you mix it in and the original concentration of each. Read more here.

Concentrated Sulfuric Acid

Use concentrated sulfuric acid (95-98%) and sulfuric acid 93% (92-94%) carefully because these concentrations react with water, sodium hydroxide, alcohol, sugar, aluminum, bases, metals and calcium carbonate.

Sulfuric acid reacts violently with alcohol and water to release heat. Read a sulfuric acid safety guide, here. Watch a cool science demonstration video to see the power of concentrated sulfuric acid on YouTube.

Reaction Of Sulfuric Acid With Alcohol

Because sulfuric acid is also a strong oxidizing agent, it oxidizes alcohol to carbon dioxide and is simultaneously reduced itself to sulfur dioxide. Sulfuric acid also reacts with the alcohol to produce a mass of carbon.

YouTube Video Titled "Alcohol Dehydration Reaction Mechanism With H2SO4"
Posted to YouTube On July 16, 2020 by The Organic Chemistry Tutor

Where To Buy Sulfuric Acid For Laboratories And Science Experiments

Analytical chemistry departments, and individuals order sulfuric acid solutions, as well as other acids and bases, online from Lab Alley, Amazon and other e-commerce retailers.

ACS Reagent Grade Sulfuric Acid (95-98%) is commonly purchased by laboratory managers, here.

Sulfuric Acid With Potassium Hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide reacts with sulfuric acid. ... the reactants are potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. the products are potassium sulfate and water. the word equation is: potassium hydroxide + sulfuric acid → potassium sulfate + water. Read more here.

Concentrated Sulfuric Acid With Sodium Iodide

Sodium iodide react with sulfuric acid to produce iodine, hydrogen sulfide, sodium bisulfate and water. Sulfuric acid - concentrated solution. This reaction takes place at a temperature of 30-50°C.

How Does Hydrogen Bromide [HBr] React With Concentrated Sulfuric Acid?

Hydrogen bromide react with sulfuric acid to produce bromine, sulfur dioxide and water. Sulfuric acid and hydrogen bromide - concentrated solutions.

Sulfuric Acid With Sodium Hydroxide

Why Concentrated Sulfuric Acid Is Used In Esterification

Esterification is a relatively slow process at room temperature and does not proceed to completion. Concentrated sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst, and has a dual role: Speeds up the reaction. Acts as a dehydrating agent, forcing the equilibrium to the right and resulting in a greater yield of ester.

Sulfuric acid is needed as a catalyst in an esterification reaction. Sulfuric acid provides the hydronium ions that protonate the carbonyl oxygen and make the carbonyl carbon a better electrophile. Even if you are using concentrated sulfuric acid, it contains 2 % water, so hydronium ions are present.

Use Sulfuric Acid Safely In Your Laboratory Or Classroom

December 17, 2021: Pictured above are two amber brown glass bottles of concentrated sulfuric acid in a laboratory.

More sulfuric acid is produced in the United States every year than any other chemical.
Teachers buy concentrated sulfuric acid (95-98%) ACS reagent grade in 500mL bottles to analyze reactions in educational experiments and to titrate weak or strong bases.
Scientists order extra pure sulfuric acid 96% solution in water (18 molar), in 30mL bottles, from laboratory supply companies, to conduct organic chemistry demonstrations such as the "Carbon Snake".
Laboratory managers buy sulfuric acid, here.
Because this very strong chemical is so corrosive and reactive, it dissolves most types of metal, and unfortunately, human tissue as well.
Purchase sulfuric acid gloves, here.

Sulfuric Acid For Laboratory Work And Chemical Analysis

Order a 16 ounce (500 mL) bottle of ACS Reagent Grade Sulfuric Acid H2SO4, Concentrated (CAS: 7664-93-9, US DOT UN2796, Class 8), here.
Read sulfuric acid storage and disposal safety tips, here.
Read sulfuric acid safety tips, here. Read an excellent sulfuric acid safe handling guideline, here.
Science laboratory managers buy 1 liter bottles of reagent grade sulfuric acid, with a concentration of 1 mol/L (1M), for general purpose lab work.

Sulfuric Acid Grades

Lab chemicals, such as sulfuric acid, are labelled with a grade that designates a certain level of purity standards.
ACS grade sulfuric acid meets or exceeds purity standards set by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
USP grade sulfuric acid meets or exceeds requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). This grade of sulfuric acid is acceptable for food, drug or medicinal use.
HPLC grade sulfuric acid is manufactured specifically for use with HPLC instruments.
Analytical grade sulfuric acid designates that this reagent is suitable for use in analytical procedures.

Identification Of Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid is a dense, oily liquid that can be colorless to brown, depending on the purity. It can also exist as ice- or fiber-like crystals or as a gas. Sulfuric acid is also called battery acid. It is odorless with a strong acid taste. Sulfuric acid reacts violently with water, generating much heat. It is highly corrosive. Read more here.

Sulfuric Acid | Structure, Formula, Uses, & Facts

Sulfuric acid, sulfuric also spelled sulphuric (H2SO4), also called oil of vitriol, or hydrogen sulfate, dense, colorless, oily, corrosive liquid; one of the most important of all chemicals, prepared industrially by the reaction of water with sulfur trioxide (see sulfur oxide), which in turn is made by chemical combination of sulfur dioxide and oxygen either by the contact process or the chamber process.

In various concentrations the acid is used in the manufacture of fertilizers, pigments, dyes, drugs, explosives, detergents, and inorganic salts and acids, as well as in petroleum refining and metallurgical processes.

In one of its most familiar applications, sulfuric acid serves as the electrolyte in lead–acid storage batteries. Pure sulfuric acid has a specific gravity of 1.830 at 25 °C (77 °F); it freezes at 10.37 °C (50.7 °F).

When heated, the pure acid partially decomposes into water and sulfur trioxide; the latter escapes as a vapour until the concentration of the acid falls to 98.3 percent. This mixture of sulfuric acid and water boils at a constant temperature of 338 °C (640 °F) at one atmosphere pressure. Sulfuric acid is commonly supplied at concentrations of 78, 93, or 98 percent.

Sulfuric acid is a very strong acid; in aqueous solutions it ionizes completely to form hydronium ions (H3O+) and hydrogen sulfate ions (HSO4−). In dilute solutions the hydrogen sulfate ions also dissociate, forming more hydronium ions and sulfate ions (SO42−).

In addition to being an oxidizing agent, reacting readily at high temperatures with many metals, carbon, sulfur, and other substances, concentrated sulfuric acid is also a strong dehydrating agent, combining violently with water; in this capacity, it chars many organic materials, such as wood, paper, or sugar, leaving a carbonaceous residue.

The term fuming sulfuric acid, or oleum, is applied to solutions of sulfur trioxide in 100 percent sulfuric acid; these solutions, commonly containing 20, 40, or 65 percent sulfur trioxide, are used for the preparation of organic chemicals. Read more here.

Occupational Sulfuric Acid Safety Information And Resources

YouTube Video Titled "Sulfuric Acid Safety Information | Industrial Chemistry"
Uploaded by iitutor.com on March 14, 2016

Before working with sulfuric acid, individuals should be trained in its proper handling and storage and know how to use proper personal protective equipment, including protective gloves and chemical-resistant clothing and boots, splash-proof goggles, and respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for use with sulfuric acid.

Sulfuric Acid Safety Precautions And Safety Data Sheets

Sulfuric Acid Safety Tips

Take safety precautions to avoid sulfuric acid leaks and spills and wear acid resistant protective clothing.
Wear nitrile or natural rubber gloves for prolonged contact with sulfuric acid.
Learn how to use sulfuric acid safely at work or home by downloading and reading Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), here.
On this page, you can watch sulfuric acid safety videos and read informative OSHA sulfuric acid safety guidelines.
Learn how to use sulfuric acid in your home or at work without being harmed by this highly useful, but corrosive chemical.
If you or someone you are with has an exposure to sulfuric acid, call your local emergency number such as 911.
You can also contact your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the Poison Help hotline, at 1-800-222-1222, from anywhere in the United States.

What To Do In Case Of A Sulfuric Acid Spill In Your Laboratory

Sulfuric Acid Spills And Exposure

If sulfuric acid is spilled or leaks and gets on your skin, quickly flush your skin with soap and lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes. Do not scrub or rub skin. If strong concentrations of gas or solution penetrate clothing, remove clothing and flush the skin with water. Seek medical attention immediately.

Immediately report leaks, spills or failures of the safety equipment (e.g. ventilation system). Prevent accidental contact with incompatible chemicals.

Sulfuric acid spills should be neutralized with sodium bicarbonate and then cleaned up with a paper towel or sponge.

Neutralize spill with sodium bicarbonate/baking soda
Wait until bubbling/fizzing has stopped
When using a neutralizing spill kit, the kits are buffered and will not have a bubbling action. Be careful not to over-neutralize
Test pH of the spill after the neutralization reaction has stopped with pH paper
Once pH is between 6 and 9, the material can be transferred into an appropriate secondary container for disposal
Wipe all surfaces with a sponge and wash all of the material down the sink.

Sulfuric Acid Chemical 3D Structure Model Depiction

Sulfuric Acid 2D Chemical Structure Depiction

Sulfuric Acid Chemical Properties, Hazards And Uses

Information About Sulfuric Acid From Wikipedia

Sulfuric acid (alternative spelling sulphuric acid), also known as vitriol, is a mineral acid composed of the elements sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen, with molecular formula H2SO4.

It is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid that is soluble in water and is synthesized in reactions that are highly exothermic.

Its corrosiveness can be mainly ascribed to its strong acidic nature, and, if at a high concentration, its dehydrating and oxidizing properties.

It is also hygroscopic, readily absorbing water vapor from the air. Upon contact, sulfuric acid can cause severe chemical burns and even secondary thermal burns; it is very dangerous even at lower concentrations.

Sulfuric acid is a very important commodity chemical, and a nation's sulfuric acid production is a good indicator of its industrial strength.

It is widely produced with different methods, such as contact process, wet sulfuric acid process, lead chamber process and some other methods.

Sulfuric acid is also a key substance in the chemical industry. It is most commonly used in fertilizer manufacture, but is also important in mineral processing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis.

It has a wide range of end applications including in domestic acidic drain cleaners, as an electrolyte in lead-acid batteries, in dehydrating a compound, and in various cleaning agents. Read more here.

Typical Grades, Concentrations And Common Names For Sulfuric Acid

Diluted Sulfuric Acid Is <29% Concentration
Battery Acid (used in lead–acid batteries) Is 29–32% Concentration
Chamber Acid Or Fertilizer Acid Is 62–70% Concentration
Tower Acid Or Glover Acid Is 78–80% Concentration
66 °Bé ("66-degree Baumé") Acid Is 93.2% Concentration
Concentrated Sulfuric Acid Is 98.3% Concentration

Alternative Names And Synonyms For Sulfuric Acid

Synonyms include Oil of Vitriol (OV), Vitriolic acid, Hydrogen sulfate, and Oleum. It is also spelled sulphuric acid.

Sulfuric Acid Identifiers

CAS Number: 7664-93-9
3D model (JSmol) Interactive image
ChEBI: CHEBI:26836
ChEMBL: ChEMBL572964
ChemSpider: 1086
ECHA InfoCard: 100.028.763
EC Number: 231-639-5
E number: E513 (acidity regulators, ...)
Gmelin Reference: 2122
KEGG: D05963
PubChem CID: 1118
RTECS number: WS5600000
UNII: O40UQP6WCF
UN number: 1830
CompTox Dashboard (EPA): DTXSID5029683

Sulfuric Acid Charge

Explanation: In sulfuric acid, the molecular formula is H2SO4 . Oxygen almost always has an oxidation number of −2 , so 4 oxygen atoms means the charge is 8− . Sulfur, in this case, has an oxidation number of +6 , which means that SO4 ion has an overall charge of 2− . Read more here.

Sulfuric Acid PH

Since sulfuric acid is a strong acid, a 0.50 M solution of sulfuric acid has a pH close to zero. For more information on sulfuric acid PH values, click here.