Which chemical compound is known as sulfuric acid and has the formula H₂SO₄?

The chemical compound known as sulfuric acid has the formula H₂SO₄.

Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid containing hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen. Its formula indicates two hydrogen atoms, one sulfur atom, and four oxygen atoms in each molecule. Concentrated sulfuric acid is colorless to slightly yellow, highly corrosive, and strongly dehydrating.

It is one of the world’s most important industrial chemicals. Major uses include fertilizer manufacture, petroleum refining, metal processing, lead-acid batteries, and chemical synthesis. Industrial production commonly uses the contact process, in which sulfur dioxide is converted to sulfur trioxide and then absorbed to form sulfuric acid.

Sulfurous acid is a different, less stable compound associated with dissolved sulfur dioxide. Nitric acid contains nitrogen, and hydrochloric acid contains hydrogen and chlorine. These acids therefore cannot be substituted for sulfuric acid when the formula matters.