Chemistry is one of the most important areas of natural science, and one of its main substances, without which this science is unthinkable, is sulfuric acid. It finds application in almost any chemical process. Simply put, sulfuric acid is the queen of chemistry.

You will need

• Battery electrolyte, glass jar, saucepan, motor oil, electric stove.

Instructions

• In industry it is obtained by dissolving sulfuric anhydride (sulfur trioxide) in water. And to obtain anhydride, sulfur dioxide formed, for example, after roasting sulfide ores, or obtained directly (by burning sulfur in oxygen), is oxidized to sulfuric anhydride at a temperature of 500 degrees Celsius on catalysts made of platinum, vanadium oxide and the like. But in order to obtain concentrated sulfuric acid using a homemade method, it is not necessary to resort to the tricks described above. We buy battery electrolyte at a car store, take an ordinary glass jar and pour it into it, then take a pan, pour motor oil into it (working off will do just fine) and put the jar there. Then we place it all on the electric stove.
• Thus, water evaporates from the electrolyte. The trick of the oil bath is that the boiling point of the oil is slightly higher than the boiling point of water, and thus the water boils away calmly, but the oil does not boil and the glass jar remains intact, because heats up evenly over the entire area. Even hot concentrated sulfuric acid does not interact with glass, so the amount of impurities in it is minimal. The process can be carried out in a temperature range from 100 to 300 degrees, but it is better not to exceed the boiling point of the oil. Continue the process until the water boils away. In principle, the enrichment of sulfuric acid can be done in a good-quality metal container, but after this the acid will be heavily contaminated with impurities and will have a dark color, and besides, there is a possibility that the container will leak during the process.

Not all substances and reagents are available for free retail sale today. One of these hard-to-find items is sulfuric acid. In this article we will look at what this is connected with and where it can be purchased in Russian cities.

Sulfuric acid is... Transportation, storage

For those wondering where you can buy it, let us first remind you of the properties of this substance, which is dangerous to humans. Sulfuric acid is a type of strong dibasic acid, its formula is H 2 SO 4. In Russia, this mixture of sulfur trioxide with water is produced according to GOSTs 667-73, 2184-77, 4240-77. The production of this heavy oily liquid, which has neither color nor odor, involves several of its varieties, which differ in their purity and concentration.

Sulfuric acid has the following important properties:

• Specific gravity - 1.85 g/cm 3 (for ideal 100% sulfuric acid - 1.92 g/cm 3; but such a substance has a significant disadvantage - it freezes at -10 degrees Celsius).
• Boiling point - +296.5 ° Celsius, crystallization point - +10.45 ° Celsius.
• At a concentration of up to 70%, during the heating and boiling of this acid, only water vapor is released. With a higher content of H 2 SO 4, harmful acid emissions also enter the air.
• Explosive and flammable substance. When in contact with water, you should be wary of a violent reaction, which will result in the release of gases, vapors, and heat. That’s why when working with sulfuric acid you need to have special clothing, shoes, and a personal chemical protection kit.

Sulfuric acid is delivered to the end user by both road and rail transport. For transportation, special sulfuric acid containers (for technical sulfuric acid) or acid-resistant tanks (for improved H 2 SO 4) are used.

When storing, it is worth remembering that sulfuric acid is a toxic substance belonging to the second hazard class. The maximum safe concentration of H 2 SO 4 vapor is 1 mg/m 3 . Before you decide where to buy sulfuric acid (technical), you need to purchase a special container for storing it. In production premises it is additionally covered

Application of sulfuric acid

The main consumers of sulfuric acid are metallurgical plants and the chemical industry. It is used for:

• purification of petroleum products from sulfur inclusions;
• ore decomposition;
• removing scale before galvanizing wire and metal sheets;
• nickel plating, chrome plating of metal surface;
• (concentrated solution in organic synthesis);
• fertilizer production (this industry consumes about half of all sulfuric acid produced in the country);
• production of artificial fiber;
• production of ethyl alcohol;
• production of aniline dye.

Individuals interested in where to buy sulfuric acid primarily use it as an electrolyte for

Where to buy sulfuric acid

In principle, sulfuric acid is not sold in pharmacies. A private individual can purchase its non-concentrated solution (30-35%) in stores that sell auto parts and auto chemicals. More concentrated solutions are precursors that are not legally sold to individuals.

Before you find out where to buy sulfuric acid, here are some tips from people who have made such a purchase.

So, it is important to keep the following in mind:

1. In rare cases, a large volume of this substance will be sold to a private individual - you should purchase it little by little, from different suppliers.
2. If it is impossible to purchase, you can try to evaporate H 2 SO 4 from the electrolyte. The maximum density will be no more than 1.4 g/cm 3 . Evaporation is carried out in a porcelain container in a sand or plaster bath. Under no circumstances should this process be carried out indoors.
3. Remember that the sale of sulfuric acid is under control because... this substance is used to produce drugs as well as homemade explosives. Even if you purchase it for innocent experiments or to refill a car battery in large quantities, this may cause unnecessary suspicion.

Where can you buy sulfuric acid in Moscow

In the capital, you can purchase sulfuric acid in:

• "Himmede";
• "Sigma-Tek";
• online store of JSC "Chemservice";
• LLC "Component-Reaktiv";
• OdiChem LLC;
• at Mega-Chem LLC (technical, battery, chemically pure) - the company does not work with private owners.

Sale of sulfuric acid in Russian cities

We will look at where to buy sulfuric acid in other Russian cities in the summary table.

Where to buy concentrated sulfuric acid? A “sick” question for a private person. In most cities in free retail trade only 30-35% battery solutions.

Continuing the topic about young chemists.

Many novice (and non-novice) chemists ask the question: “Where can I get the reagents?” Look around! They are all around you! Don't believe me? Then read on

So let's begin. (This is not a complete list of reagents that can be found)

WHERE TO GET METALS

Aluminum Al - aluminum wire, power line wires

Aluminum powder - silver. Sometimes they are sold in hardware stores (the same place where paints are sold)

Lithium Li - found in ENERGIZER Lithium AA batteries

Sodium Na - in the exhaust valves of ZIL internal combustion engines

Zinc Zn - in some A or AA batteries (zinc glass)

Be careful with zinc from batteries because lead and antimony are added to it

Copper Cu - copper wire. Often used in transformers and engines (in car starters, for example, you can find thick copper wire (diameter more than a millimeter))

It happens that it is sold in the form of bronze powder in the same place as aluminum

Nickel Ni - in some batteries (nickel cup)

Lead Pb - sold in fishing stores as a sinker or as bullets for air guns(Not balls!) .
You can also use shot or lead plates from batteries (everywhere contains impurities!)

Tin Sn - sold in radio products (solder), but it is an alloy. You can also look for pure tin (its price is high) in the same radio stores or chemical stores.

Magnesium Mg - in the store called magnesium anodes on the baller. Also, the crankcases of ZAZ cars are made of this metal, or rather from an electron alloy.

Silver Ag - in the form of silver scrap (spoon, ring, etc.) In almost all cases, it is an alloy; purification is necessary to obtain pure silver

WHERE TO GET ACIDS

Sulfuric acid H2SO4 - sold in car dealerships as an acid electrolyte for batteries (25-30% solution)

Phosphoric acid H3PO4 - sold as a rust converter or soldering flux (Read the composition!)

Acetic acid CH3COOH - ordinary vinegar essence (70%), sold in any grocery store

Silicic acid H2SiO3 - easy to make yourself: add any acid to sodium or potassium silicate (cancer glue) - a precipitate of water-insoluble silicic acid forms

Boric acid H3BO3 - sold in pharmacies

Citric acid (HOOCCH2)2C(OH)COOH - sold in grocery stores

Hydrochloric acid HCl - can be obtained on the market, but is unlikely (precursor in the Russian Federation)

WHERE TO GET BASES

Sodium hydroxide NaOH is sold mixed with foreign substances in the department household chemicals as a “mole” cleaning agent (Avoid long contact with air, as sodium hydroxide turns into carbonate in air! In addition, it swells and blurs)

Aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)3 is easy to obtain yourself: a solution of sodium hydroxide is added to a solution of aluminum sulfate (avoid excess sodium hydroxide, since aluminum hydroxide is an amphoteric base and dissolves in excess alkali, sodium tetrahydroxyaluminate (Na) is formed. For the same reason aluminum dissolves in caustic alkalis with the formation of the same tetrahydroxoaluminates.)

Zinc hydroxide Zn(OH)2 is obtained in the same way, only a solution of zinc sulfate is taken (zinc hydroxide is also an amphoteric base)

Copper hydroxide Cu(OH)2 is obtained in the same way, only a solution of copper sulfate is taken

Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 - sold to households. stores as slaked lime. (Avoid prolonged contact with air, as calcium hydroxide turns into carbonate in air!)

It can be obtained from quicklime (CaO) by pouring boiling water over it and stirring. The mixture begins to bubble and boil vigorously.

A solution of ammonia in water NH4OH - (weak base) is sold in pharmacies as ammonia or at household stores. stores 25% solution (now it is quite difficult to find - there is 10% left in glass bottles)

MISCELLANEOUS

Hydrogen peroxide (peroxide) H2O2 - sold in the pharmacy in the form of a solution and tablets of hydroperite - a compound of urea with strong peroxide

Calcium oxide (CaO) - quicklime, can be sold in hardware stores.

Acetone (CH3)2CO - sold in hardware stores as a solvent. (Read the ingredients!)

Kerosene - in the hardware store, used as a solvent

Urea (or carbamide) (NH2)2CO - is sold in hardware stores as a nitrogen fertilizer. Recently, many fertilizers are found humated (very dirty: a small amount of the target substance mixed with soil)

Hexamine ((CH2)6(NH2)4 or C6H12N4) is sold contaminated in the form of dry fuel (thick tablets) in hardware stores or hunting stores.

Sulfur S - in hardware stores as a means for fumigating greenhouses, basements, etc. (lumpy sulfur) Contaminated with all sorts of impurities, like colloidal sulfur for preparing a suspension against flower mites - I took the Green Belt company in 30g bags - it is more expensive than lump sulfur, but much cleaner.

Toluene C6H5CH3 - sold in hardware stores as solvent 646. Distillation is necessary because it is a multicomponent solvent with a toluene content of about 50%

WHERE TO GET SALT

KMnO4 - potassium permanganate, commonly referred to as potassium permanganate, is sold in pharmacies.

NaOCl - sodium hypochlorite, sold in manufactured goods as a cleaning agent called "Whiteness" in the form of a solution (often with a strength of no more than 10%)

NITRATES

It is better to store all nitrates in tightly closed packaging due to their hygroscopicity (dampness). Of the ones listed below, only nitrates of silver, barium and potassium almost do not become damp. The rest - after a week of exposure to damp air, they can turn into solution

Some nitrates can be found in household items. stores (where they are sold under the name saltpeter).

The most important thing is ammonium nitrate. You can get sodium from it by heating a solution of ammonium nitrate with soda (with baking soda or not, it doesn’t matter). You can get calcium by heating ammonium nitrate with slaked lime (or by fusing it with chalk). You can use potassium by heating a solution of ammonium nitrate with potassium carbonate or by mixing potassium sulfate with calcium nitrate. All reactions with ammonium nitrate given in this section release a lot of ammonia!

Ammonium nitrate NH4NO3 - ammonium nitrate.

Potassium nitrate KNO3 - potassium nitrate.

Sodium nitrate NaNO3 - sodium nitrate.

Calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)2 - calcium nitrate.

Barium nitrate Ba(NO3)2. can be taken out of sparklers - carefully chop off the spread, grind it, add water, mix thoroughly and filter - filtrate barium nitrate solution

Silver nitrate AgNO3 was previously sold in pharmacies under the name lapis, but has now been discontinued.

Lead nitrate Pb(NO3)2 - obtained by fusing ammonium nitrate with lead oxide (many gases are released, add the oxide gradually with active stirring)

CHLORIDES

Sodium chloride NaCl is regular table salt, sold in any grocery store.

Potassium chloride KCl - for household use. store as a fertilizer, but there are a lot of impurities (it would be useful to filter).

Ammonium chloride NH4Cl - soldering agent (flux) Read the composition! (ammonium in common parlance)

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) - sold in pharmacies (solution in ampoules). Can be obtained by heating a mixture of ammonia and lime

IODIDES

Potassium iodide KI - sold in pharmacies as a remedy against iodine deficiency (Read the product label before you buy, because the composition may be different!)

SULPHATES

Potassium sulfate K2SO4 - sold to households. store as fertilizer (there are also a lot of impurities)

Copper sulfate or copper sulfate CuSO4 - sold to households. stores (blue crystals)

Magnesium sulfate or magnesia (bitter salt) MgSO4 is sold in pharmacies as a laxative or in hardware stores as a fertilizer

Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 can be sold to households. stores as a fertilizer, but it’s easy to make it yourself: a solution of sulfuric acid is added to an ammonia solution (the ammonia solution is taken in a slight excess) (the mixture is heated). If the container where the reaction took place is left in the air for a day, then the excess ammonia will evaporate - a solution of ammonium sulfate is obtained. If you want to get it in solid form, you can (as I did) pour it onto a cheese or butter lid and dry it for about 2-3 days (this method is more delicate than evaporation)

Barium sulfate BaSO4 can be obtained by the reaction Ba(NO3)2+H2SO4=BaSO4+2HNO3 The solution is filtered, the sediment on the filter is barium sulfate

Or through a pharmacy. Sometimes pharmacies sell barium sulfate. Somewhere around 25r/100g

Calcium sulfate or gypsum CaSO4 - can be obtained by the reaction H2SO4 + Ca(NO3)2 = CaSO4 + 2HNO3 The solution must stand for a day (preferably in a cold place) so that the reaction completes and the calcium sulfate crystallizes out of the solution almost completely

Aluminum sulfate Al2(SO4)3 can be obtained by the reaction 3CuSO4+2Al=3Cu+Al2(SO4)3 Copper sulfate is dissolved in water (DO NOT DISSOLUTE IN IRON, ALUMINUM, GALVANIZED CONSTANTS, PREFERABLY IN GLASS!!!) (preferably close to saturated ), an aluminum wire is lowered into a container with a solution of copper sulfate; copper is released on the surface of the aluminum, and aluminum ions pass into the solution. For the reaction to complete, you need to wait 1-3 days (depending on the volume of the container), the solution is filtered, the filtrate is a solution of aluminum sulfate

Iron (II) sulfate (iron sulfate) FeSO4 - sold at hardware stores (greenish crystals)

Iron(III) sulfate Fe2(SO4)3 can, in principle, be obtained in the same way as indicated above, only an iron nail/chance is taken. paperclip (in this case the container gets dirty - covered with a yellow coating) or oxidation of ferrous sulfate (iron(II) sulfate) with hydrogen peroxide

Nickel sulfate NiSO4 is obtained in the same way as indicated above, only a nickel plate is taken.

Zinc sulfate ZnSO4 is obtained in the same way as indicated above, only a zinc plate is taken.

CARBONATES

Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 - regular baking soda

Sodium carbonate Na2CO3 is sold as washing soda, but it is easy to prepare it yourself: you need to heat the sodium bicarbonate (CAUTION!!! HOT!!!) (about 20-30 minutes), the reaction occurs: 2NaHCO3=Na2CO3+CO2+H2O

Or simmer for a while until it stops foaming.

Calcium carbonate CaCO3 - ordinary chalk (talc impurities, etc.) or marble

ACETATES

Lead acetate Pb(CH3COO)2 is sold in pharmacies as lead lotions.
You can also get it by dissolving lead (or its oxide) in acetic acid (when adding peroxide, the reaction will go faster)

Sodium acetate CH3COONa is obtained by adding acetic acid to sodium carbonate (it doesn’t matter which one). The solution, which hardly foams after adding the next portion of acetic acid, is heated or left for several days in some open container (so that excess acetic acid evaporates) and, if possible, evaporated before crystallization begins.

SILICATES

Sodium silicate Na2SiO3 or potassium K2SiO3 (most often sodium silicate) - liquid glass, sold in office supply stores as stationery silicate glue.

Material edited with the participation of user mastersam

There are many small and large companies in our country; on the Internet you can find a chemistry website that sell reagents. But often you can only order a sufficient quantity, for example, solid and bulk chemicals can be sold from a kilogram, and acids in liter bottles. It is clear that in order to conduct entertaining chemical experiments for children, such volumes are not required. Therefore, let’s try to figure out where to get chemical reagents for chemical experiments at home. Most the right way- ask in the school chemistry room. Here the purity of the reagent will be maintained and in the end you will be one hundred percent sure that it is sodium hydroxide and not calcium hydroxide. But this method is not suitable for everyone, so let’s figure it out further.

Where to get metals

• Aluminum. The source of this metal in everyday life is old aluminum spoons and plates, aluminum wire
• Aluminum powder is a silver paint sold in hardware stores.
• Copper is copper wire, mined from wires or from transformer windings.
• Lead, in the form of neat weights, is easy to buy at a fishing store.
• We buy tin in the form of solder for soldering in radio stores. True, it is sold there in the form of an alloy, but for home use the percentage of tin in the solder is quite enough.
• Magnesium can be taken by unscrewing the magnesium anode (heating element) for the water heater. IN Soviet era The oil pans of Zaporozhets cars served as an inexhaustible source of magnesium.
• Chrome can be stripped from an old metal bumper. The resulting shavings are quite clean and well suited for experiments.
• Tungsten is found in the filaments of light bulbs.
• Cerium is the “silicon” for lighters, the one that sparks when rubbed.

Attention! On the Internet we came across sources offering to extract some metals, such as zinc, lithium, by disassembling batteries. Do not try to do this yourself and under no circumstances allow children to do this, otherwise you risk getting a chemical burn.

Where to get acid

• Sulfuric acid in the form of a 25-30% solution for batteries (“Acid electrolyte”) is purchased at car dealerships. It is impossible to buy pure sulfuric acid.
• Phosphoric acid is sold in radio stores under the name “soldering flux.”
• Acetic acid is regular table vinegar, available in any grocery store.
• Boric acid is freely available in pharmacies
• Citric acid is known to any housewife; we buy it at the grocery store.
• Nitric acid 45% is sometimes found on radio markets.
• Oxalic acid. We follow her to the hardware store.

Where to get grounds

• Sodium hydroxide, under the names caustic soda, caustic soda, and caustic soda, is sold in radio, photo, or household supply stores.
• Calcium hydroxide is slaked lime, sold in hardware stores.
• A solution of ammonia in water is ammonia. It is sold in pharmacies, although it is gradually becoming a rarity.

Where to get salt

• Sodium hypochlorite is a product called “Belizna”, sold in hardware stores.
• Ammonium nitrate, also known as ammonium nitrate, is found in stores for summer residents and hardware stores.
• Barium nitrate is a coating for sparklers.
• Silver nitrate, also known as lapis, can sometimes be found in pharmacies. You need to choose local pharmacies, with old stocks.
• Sodium chloride is table salt.
• Potassium chloride is sold in stores for summer residents and gardeners as a fertilizer.
• Ammonium chloride - ammonia. Do not confuse with ammonia! Ammonia is an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide.
• Cobalt chloride - can be purchased in tablets. Sold in some veterinary pharmacies as a medicine for ruminant pets
• Calcium chloride is sold in pharmacies in injection ampoules.
• Potassium iodide is included in medications against iodine deficiency, but in this case you must read the composition of the drug. We buy it at the pharmacy.
• Potassium sulfate is a fertilizer sold in hardware stores.
• We look for copper sulfate or copper sulfate in the hardware store.
• Magnesium sulfate or magnesia (bitter salt) is sold in pharmacies as a laxative or in hardware stores as a fertilizer.
• Ammonium sulfate is a fertilizer in the hardware store.
• We buy barium sulfate and barium sulfate at the pharmacy.
• Calcium sulfate = gypsum.
• Iron(II) sulfate (ferrous sulfate) is available at your hardware store.
• Sodium bicarbonate - baking soda.
• Sodium carbonate - soda ash or laundry soda. Used as a cleaning agent.
• Calcium carbonate is ordinary chalk or marble.
• Lead acetate is a lead lotion that is sold in pharmacies.
• Sodium silicate - liquid glass, stationery silicate glue.
• Potassium silicate is the same. Sold in office supply stores.
• Potassium bromide is sold in pharmacies under the name "Adonis-Bromine".

Where to get other chemicals

• Hydrogen peroxide can be bought at a pharmacy either in the form of a solution or in the form of hydroperite tablets.
• Calcium oxide is quicklime, which you need to go to the hardware store for.
• Acetone - we buy it at the nearest hardware store. We need "Technical Acetone".
• Sulfur - sold in hardware stores and gardening stores in the form of lumps or in bags. Sulfur in bags is much more expensive than lumpy sulfur, but at the same time much purer. “Colloidal sulfur” is generally not suitable for our purposes, because contains too many impurities. It’s better and cheaper to buy feed sulfur from pet supplies; it’s generally almost perfectly pure.
• Toluene - sold in hardware stores as solvent 646. Distillation is necessary because it is a multicomponent solvent with a toluene content of about 50%.
• Glycerin is freely available in pharmacies.
• Phenolphthalein tablets are sold in pharmacies under the name purgen.
• Litmus paper is sometimes sold in pet stores.
• Hexamine is a dry fuel, sold in hardware stores and tourist departments.
• Chromium oxide can be purchased in the Varnishes and Paints department.
• Indigo carmine - food coloring blue, in grocery departments.
• Glucose is freely sold in pharmacies.

Let's give some summary. Most of the necessary reagents can be bought either at a pharmacy or in stores for summer residents.

Reagents from the Garden and Vegetable Garden store and hardware stores

• ammonium sulfate,
• zinc sulfate,
• ferrous sulfate,
• copper sulfate,
• magnesium sulfate,
• manganese sulfate,
• potassium sulfate,
• ammonium nitrate,
• potassium nitrate,
• magnesium nitrate,
• monopotassium phosphate,
• sodium tetraborate,
• boric acid (crystalline),
• oxalic acid (crystalline),
• urea,
• succinic acid,
• sulfur.

Sulfuric acid is a strong dibasic acid corresponding to the highest oxidation state of sulfur.

Synonyms: oil of vitriol

Sulfuric acid formula: H2SO4

Molar mass: 98.08 g/mol

CAS number: 7664-93-9

Chemical properties of sulfuric acid

Sulfuric acid is a colorless and odorless oily liquid. Sulfuric acid is a strong oxidizing agent; its oxidation properties are especially pronounced when heated. As the concentration of sulfuric acid increases, the boiling point increases. Sulfuric acid oxidizes HI and partially HBr to free halogens, carbon to CO 2, S to SO 2, and many metals can also be oxidized. In this case, sulfuric acid is reduced to SO 2, and the most powerful reducing agents are reduced to S and H 2 S.

Concentrated sulfuric acid is partially reduced by H2, which is why it cannot be used for drying it. Dilute sulfuric acid reacts with all metals located in the electrochemical voltage series to the left of hydrogen, releasing H 2 . The oxidizing properties of dilute sulfuric acid are uncharacteristic.
Sulfuric acid gives two series of salts: medium - sulfates and acidic - hydrosulfates, as well as esters.

Precautions

Sulfuric acid is quite dangerous, so when interacting with it you must take all precautions, otherwise you may receive chemical burns to the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract.

When working with sulfuric acid, use special clothing, shoes, gloves with protective functions, as well as personal protective equipment.

If you do inhale sulfuric acid vapor, the following somatic manifestations are possible: difficulty breathing, severe cough, the development of laryngitis, tracheitis and even bronchitis is possible.

For humans, the permissible concentration of sulfuric acid is equal to: in the air of the working area 1.0 mg/m³, in atmospheric air 0.3 mg/m³ (maximum one-time) and 0.1 mg/m³ (daily average).

At a concentration of 0.008 mg/l (exposure 60 minutes), there is a damaging effect on the body.

Lethal outcome is guaranteed at a sulfuric acid concentration of 0.18 mg/l (60 min).

Storage conditions

In warehouses, sulfuric acid must be stored in tanks, which are located either directly in the room or under a canopy. It is important to prevent the top of the tanks from being exposed to precipitation.

Tanks for storing finished sulfuric acid are horizontal or vertical cylindrical tanks made of sheet steel with a capacity of up to 3000 m 3.

Concentrated sulfuric acid (tower, contact) and oleum are stored in unlined steel tanks. Steel tanks for storing especially pure and low-concentrated sulfuric acid are lined with acid-resistant ceramics.

Application of sulfuric acid