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Metals and Other Materials - Why Is Sulfuric Acid Important?

Why is sulfuric acid important?

Sulfuric acid is essential for the production of many commonly used manufactured items. Sometimes called "oil of vitriol," sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is prepared industrially by the reaction of water with sulfur trioxide. Sulfur trioxide is made by combining sulfur dioxide and oxygen.

The first widespread use of sulfuric acid was in the manufacture of soda in the eighteenth century. Its greatest use today is in the production of fertilizers. It is also used in the refining of petroleum, as well as in the production of automobile batteries, explosives, pigments, iron and other metals, and paper pulp.

Sources: McNeil, Ian. An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology, pp. 221-23; Van Nostrand Reinhold Encyclopedia of Chemistry, 4th ed., pp. 909-10; World Book Encyclopedia, vol. 18, p. 968.


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