pyrosulfuric acid

noun Chemistry.

an oily, hygroscopic, corrosive liquid, H2S2O7, that, depending on purity, is colorless or dark brown: used chiefly as a dehydrating agent in the manufacture of explosives and as a sulfating or sulfonating agent in the manufacture of dyes.

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Also called fuming sulfuric acid, oleum.

Origin of pyrosulfuric acid

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby pyrosulfuric acid

pyroracemic acid, pyrosis, pyrostat, pyrosulfate, pyrosulfuric, pyrosulfuric acid, pyrosulphate, pyrosulphuric acid, pyrotechnic, pyrotechnician, pyrotechnics
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Scientific definitions for fuming sulfuric acid

pyrosulfuric acid
[ pī′rō-sŭl-fyur′ĭk ]

A heavy, oily, colorless to dark brown liquid produced by adding sulfur trioxide to concentrated sulfuric acid. It is used in petroleum refining and the manufacture of explosives. Chemical formula: H2S2O7.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.