Sulfuric Acid is written H₂SO₄. With school atomic masses the molar mass is 98 g/mol. Sulfuric acid is a strong diprotic acid and one of the most produced industrial chemicals.
H₂O
WaterNH₃
AmmoniaCO₂
Carbon DioxideH₂O₂
Hydrogen PeroxideSO₂
Sulfur DioxideNO₂
Nitrogen DioxideHCl
Hydrochloric AcidH₂SO₄
Sulfuric AcidHNO₃
Nitric AcidCH₄
MethaneC₂H₆
EthaneC₃H₈
PropaneC₄H₁₀
ButaneC₂H₄
EthyleneC₂H₂
AcetyleneC₆H₆
BenzeneC₇H₈
TolueneC₁₀H₈
NaphthaleneC₆H₁₂
CyclohexaneCH₃OH
MethanolC₂H₅OH
EthanolCH₃COOH
Acetic AcidHCHO
FormaldehydeCH₃COCH₃
AcetoneC₄H₁₀O
Diethyl EtherC₂H₇N
EthylamineC₂H₅NO
AcetamideC₆H₁₂O₆
GlucoseC₆H₁₂O₆
FructoseC₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
SucroseCO(NH₂)₂
UreaC₂₇H₄₆O
CholesterolC₉H₈O₄
AspirinC₈H₉NO₂
AcetaminophenC₁₃H₁₈O₂
IbuprofenC₈H₁₀N₄O₂
CaffeineC₆H₆N₂O
NicotinamideC₆H₈O₆
Ascorbic AcidC₁₆H₁₈N₂O₄S
Penicillin GC₂H₆O₂
Ethylene GlycolC₈H₈
StyreneC₂H₃Cl
Vinyl ChlorideC₃H₅NO
AcrylamideC₆H₁₁NO
CaprolactamLiCl
Lithium chlorideNa₂O
Sodium oxideNaCl
Sodium chlorideMgF₂
Magnesium fluorideAlCl₃
Aluminum chlorideCaO
Calcium oxideCaC₂
Calcium carbideKNO₃
Potassium nitrateMg₃(PO₄)₂
Magnesium phosphateAl₂(SO₄)₃
Aluminum sulfateMg(OH)₂
Magnesium hydroxideNH₄Cl
Ammonium chlorideNH₄OH
Ammonium hydroxideCuO
Copper(II) oxideCu₂O
Copper(I) oxideFeSO₄
Iron(II) sulfateFe₂(SO₄)₃
Iron(III) sulfatePbCO₃
Lead(II) carbonateMgO
Magnesium oxideAl₂S₃
Aluminum sulfideLiF
Lithium fluoride(NH₄)₂S
Ammonium sulfideKF
Potassium fluorideNiCl₂
Nickel(II) chlorideKCN
Potassium cyanideCH₃COONa
Sodium acetateCaCO₃
Calcium carbonateNa₃P
Sodium phosphideBeBr₂
Beryllium bromideFeO
Iron(II) oxideHg₂Cl₂
Mercury(I) chlorideHg(NO₃)₂
Mercury(II) nitrateCH₃COOCu
Copper(I) acetateSiO₂
Silicon dioxideP₄O₁₀
Tetraphosphorus decaoxideN₂O₅
Dinitrogen pentoxideCO
Carbon monoxideHF
Hydrogen fluoridePCl₅
Phosphorus pentachlorideCF₄
Carbon tetrafluorideSF₆
Sulfur hexafluorideNBr₃
Nitrogen tribromideN₂O
Dinitrogen monoxideN₂O₃
Dinitrogen trioxideCS₂
Carbon disulfideCl₂O₇
Dichlorine heptoxideBF₃
Boron trifluorideCCl₄
Carbon tetrachlorideSO₃
Sulfur trioxideSiCl₄
Silicon tetrachlorideP₂S₅
Diphosphorus pentasulfideBCl₃
Boron trichloridePBr₃
Phosphorus tribromideCBr₄
Carbon tetrabromideNF₃
Nitrogen trifluorideOF₂
Oxygen difluorideNCl₃
Nitrogen trichlorideH₂S
Hydrogen sulfidePH₃
PhosphineBeCl₂
Beryllium chlorideHCN
Hydrogen cyanideClF₃
Chlorine trifluorideXeF₂
Xenon difluorideSulfuric acid is a strong diprotic acid and one of the most produced industrial chemicals. Its dehydrating and acidic properties make it essential across many synthesis routes.
Properties
Molar mass
98.079 g/mol
Density
1.84 g/cm³
Boiling point
337 °C
pKa₁
−3 (strong acid)
pKa₂
1.99
Uses
Fertilizer manufacturing · Lead-acid batteries · Petroleum refining · Chemical dehydration and catalysis
Fun Fact
Chemists always add acid to water, not water to concentrated acid, to control the large heat release.
Exam note
Systematic name
Sulfuric acid
Compound class
It is a strong acid that can donate two protons. The first proton is given up completely.
Formula unit
The molecular formula is H₂SO₄. Sulfur is the central atom.
Aqueous solution
The first ionization is complete. The pKa of the second proton is about 1.99, so that step stays partial.
Watch the formula
With school atomic masses the molar mass is 98 g/mol: 2×1 (H) + 32 (S) + 4×16 (O). When diluting, add the acid to water. Concentrated acid can pull water out of organic matter and char it.
Molar mass calculation
Masses given in the question come first. When none are given, school values put the total at 98 g/mol.
+
+
= 98 g/mol
H₂SO₄
The same count with periodic-table atomic masses gives 98.072 g/mol.
| Element | Atom count | Contribution (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen (H) | 2 | 2.016 | 2.1 |
| Oxygen (O) | 4 | 63.996 | 65.3 |
| Sulfur (S) | 1 | 32.060 | 32.7 |
| Total | 98.072 | 100 |
Common questions
What is sulfuric Acid?
Sulfuric acid is a strong diprotic acid and one of the most produced industrial chemicals. Its dehydrating and acidic properties make it essential across many synthesis routes.
What is the formula of sulfuric Acid?
Sulfuric Acid is written H₂SO₄. The systematic name is Sulfuric acid. The molecular formula is H₂SO₄. Sulfur is the central atom.
What is the molar mass of sulfuric Acid?
Sulfuric Acid has a molar mass of 98.072 g/mol from the atomic masses on the periodic table. With school atomic masses the total is 98 g/mol, counting 2 hydrogen, 4 oxygen and 1 sulfur.
How does sulfuric Acid behave in water?
The first ionization is complete. The pKa of the second proton is about 1.99, so that step stays partial.
What is sulfuric Acid used for?
Sulfuric Acid is used for fertilizer manufacturing, lead-acid batteries, petroleum refining and chemical dehydration and catalysis.
What should you watch for with sulfuric Acid on an exam?
With school atomic masses the molar mass is 98 g/mol: 2×1 (H) + 32 (S) + 4×16 (O). When diluting, add the acid to water. Concentrated acid can pull water out of organic matter and char it.