What is Sulfur Trioxide?
Sulfur trioxide is a chemical compound which is represented by chemical formula SO3. Sulfur trioxide exists in a number of modifications that differ in molecular species and crystalline form. In its liquid for it is colourless and fumes in air at ambient conditions. It is a highly reactive substance and a strong oxidising agent and it also acts as a fire hazard. It is thermodynamically unstable compound with respect to selenium dioxide.
Other names – Sulfuric anhydride
|
SO3 |
Sulfur Trioxide |
|
Density |
1.92 g/cm³ |
|
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass |
80.066 g/mol |
|
Boiling Point |
44.9 °C |
|
Melting Point |
16.9 °C |
|
Chemical Formula |
SO3 |
Sulfur Trioxide Structure – SO3
Physical Properties of Sulfur Trioxide – SO3
|
Odour |
No odor |
|
Appearance |
Colorless to white crystalline solid |
|
Covalently-Bonded Unit |
1 |
|
Complexity |
61.8 |
|
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor |
3 |
|
Solubility |
Soluble in water. |
Chemical Properties of Sulfur Trioxide – SO3
- Sulfur trioxide reacts with water forming sulfuric acid. The chemical equation is given below.
SO3 + H2O → H2SO4
- Sulfur trioxide reacts with a base sodium hydroxide forms sodium hydrogen phosphate. The chemical equation is given below.
SO3 + NaOH → NaHSO4
Uses of Sulfur Trioxide – SO3
- Used as a bleaching agent to remove residual hydrogen peroxide, or as a digesting agent to separate pulp from lignin.
- Used as a catalyst in the oxidation reaction of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide.
- It is a strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid used in industry or in production of commercial products.
- Used as an essential reagent in sulfonation reaction.
- Used in the manufacture of photoelectric cells and solar energy devices.