Sulphuric Acid
General
- Synonyms: oil of vitriol, mattling acid, vitriol, battery acid, dipping acid, electrolyte acid, vitriol brown oil, sulphuric acid
Molecular formula: H2SO4
CAS No: 7664-93-9
EC No: 231-639-5
EC index No: 016-020-00-8
Physical data
- Appearance: Colourless oily liquid
Melting point: -2 C
Boiling point: 327 C
Specific gravity: 1.84
Vapour pressure: <0.3 mm Hg at 20 C (vapour density 3.4)
Flash point:
Explosion limits:
Autoignition temperature:
Water solubility: miscible in all proportions
Stability
- Stable, but reacts with moisture very exothermically, which may enhance its ability to act as an oxidizing agent. Substances to be avoided include water, most common metals, organic materials, strong reducing agents, combustible materials, bases, oxidising agents. Reacts violently with water - when diluting concentrated acid, carefully and slowly add acid to water, not the reverse. Reaction with many metals is rapid or violent, and generates hydrogen (flammable, explosion hazard).