Sulfuric acid (E513, H2SO4) is a strong dibasic acid that corresponds to the highest degree of sulfur oxidation (+6). Under normal conditions, concentrated sulfuric acid is a heavy, oily, colorless, odorless liquid.
Registered as a food additive of the emulsifier group E513.
Sulfuric acid is used in industrial organic synthesis in reactions:
- dehydration (production of diethyl ether, esters);
- hydration (ethanol from ethylene);
- sulfonation (synthetic detergents and intermediates in the production of dyes);
- alkylation (production of isooctane, polyethylene glycol, caprolactam), etc.