Sulfur

By the end of this chapter you should be able to :

  

Name some sources of sulfur Name the uses of SO2 Describe the contact process ( with essential conditions ) Describe the properties of dilute sulphuric acid as a typical acid

Sulfur
  

Brittle yellow solid Low melting point Doesnt conduct electricity Insoluble in water

Main sources


  

Underground sulfur bed Volcanoes Metal ores Oil and gas

Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur burns in oxygen to form sulfur dioxide
S(s) + O2(g)


SO2(g)

SO2: colorless , heavier than air,with a strong ,choking smell

Uses of SO2
 

As a preservative ( by killing the bacteria) As a bleach : it is a useful bleach for papers and dedicate materials such as clothes(It removes the colour from coloured compounds by reducing them)

Making sulphuric acid by contact process

S

1.burn in air
S(s) + O2(g) SO2(g)
2.vanadium(v)oxide catalyst 450 above atmospheric pressure

2SO2(g)+O2(g)

2SO3(g);

H = -197kJ/mol 3. dissolve in conc. H2SO4

SO3(g) +H2SO4(l)

H2S2O7 (l) oleum 4. mix carefully with water

H2S2O7(g)+ H2O(l)

2 H2SO4(l)

Uses of sulphuric acid

   

Fertilisers such as ammonium sulphate Paints ,pigments ,and dyestuffs Fibres and plastics Soaps and detergents

The mother of organic industry

Dilute sulphuric acid

It turns blue litmus red (typical acid )
  

Acid + metal Acid + metal oxides or hydroxide Acid + metal carbonate