sulfuric acid: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	sulphuric acid • hydrogen sulfate • oil of vitriol

Photos

Two brown amber laboratory bottles with blue caps labeled Sulfuric Acid H2SO4 96 percent are placed on a white surface, with blurred lab equipment in the background.

Contact-process sulfuric-acid converter

Diagram of the molecular structure of sulfuric acid showing a central sulfur atom connected to four oxygen atoms, two of which are bonded to hydrogen atoms.

Diagram illustrating the sulfur cycle, showing how sulfur moves through the biosphere and atmosphere. Arrows trace sulfur emissions from fossil fuel burning and decomposition, deposition from the air, plant uptake, runoff into water, and sediment formation.

Cleaning and coating wire rods

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Topics

sulfur dioxide sulfation vitriol oxyacid inorganic compound acid carbonic acid sulfide sulfur oxide sulfonic acid hydrogen cyanide phosphoric acid nitric acid peroxy acid nitrous acid aqua regia

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Key People

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Georg Brandt

Swedish chemist