Question

How can you convert the following: Sulphuric acid to sulphur dioxide?

Answer 1

Sulphuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$is an important reagent since it is used in the manufacture of many chemicals. Sulphur dioxide $\left({\mathrm{SO}}_2\right)$ is formed by the reaction of concentrated sulphuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ with sulphur $\left(\mathrm{S}\right)$. Water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ is obtained as a by-product of the reaction.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{S}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{SO}}_4(\mathrm{conc}.)\to 3{\mathrm{SO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{2\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \left(\mathrm{Sulphur}\right)(\mathrm{Sulphur} \\ \mathrm{dioxide}) \end{gathered}$$