Sulfuric Acid

Synonyms: Acidum sulfuricum; E513; hydrogen sulfate; oil of vitriol.

Description: Sulfuric acid occurs as a clear, colorless, odorless, oily liquid. It is very corrosive and has a great affinity for water.

Chemical Name: Sulfuric acid

Acidifying agent.

• Sulfuric acid is used as an acidifying agent in a variety of pharmaceutical and food preparations.

• It may also be used to prepare dilute sulfuric acid, which, in addition to its use as an excipient, has some therapeutic use for the treatment of gastric hypoacidity, as an astringent in diarrhea, or to stimulate appetite.

• Sulfuric acid has been used in parenteral, oral, topical, and ophthalmic pharmaceutical formulations.

Avoid storage in close proximity to water, most common metals, organic materials, strong reducing agents, combustible materials, strong bases, carbonates, sulfides, cyanides, strong oxidizing agents, and carbides. Sulfuric acid is a powerful oxidizer and may ignite or explode on contact with many materials. It can react violently with the evolution of a large amount of heat. Oxides of sulfur and hydrogen can be generated during reactions

Sulfuric acid is widely used in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations. Although concentrated sulfuric acid is very corrosive, it is normally used well diluted in formulations. Concentrated sulfuric acid will react violently with water and much heat is generated. When diluting sulfuric acid, the acid should always be added to the other liquid with great caution.

Caution should be exercised when handling sulfuric acid and suitable protection against inhalation and spillage should be made. Respiratory protection may not be required where adequate ventilation exists. Eye protection (safety goggles and face shield), rubber gloves, and apron are recommended, depending on the circumstances and quantity of sulfuric acid handled.

Dilute sulfuric acid; fuming sulfuric acid.