sulfur

Sulfur is found in its elemental state underground in the USA, Mexico and Poland. It is also a by-product from the removal of sulfur from petroleum and natural gas. Sulfur can also be obtained from sulfide ores.

The main use of sulfur is in making sulphuric acid which is a very important chemical used in many industries. It is also used extensively in making rubber tyres more flexible (vulcanising), where the rubber is heated with sulfur.

Sulfur dioxide can be made by the direct combination of sulphur with oxygen. This is the method used in the first stage of the manufacture of sulfuric acid:

As a bleach in the manufacture of wood pulp for paper. As a preservative for foods and drinks by killing bacteria. Sulfites are often added to foods and these release sulfur dioxide in acidic conditions.

Manufacture of Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid is a strong dibasic acid as two of its hydrogen atoms can be replaced by a metal. It reacts in a similar way to other acids with metal carbonates, oxides, hydroxides (and ammonia) and metals, e.g: ZnO + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2O Mg + H2SO4 → MgSO4 + H2 Na2CO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + CO2 + H2O Concentrated sulphuric acid is corrosive and a powerful oxidising agent. Concentrated sulphuric acid is also a very powerful dehydrating agent and is very good at removing water from other substances. For example, if mixed with sugar (C6H12O6), concentrated H2SO4 will remove water molecules and leave behind carbon in a spectacular looking reaction that produces a tower of pure carbon.

-Used as a catalyst in many organic reactions. Also used as to clean the surface of metals. - Used in car batteries, making phosphate fertilisers, soaps and detergents. It is also used to make acid drain cleaners and in the production of paints and dyes.