sulfur trioxide

noun

Chemistry.

1. an irritant, corrosive, low-melting solid, SO 3 , obtained by the oxidation of sulfur dioxide, used as an intermediate in the manufacture of sulfuric acid.

sulfur trioxide

1. A colorless, highly reactive, corrosive compound that exists either as a liquid or as a solid. As a solid, it exists in three forms that may coexist in a given sample. Sulfur trioxide is used as an intermediate in manufacturing sulfuric acid, and in making sulfonates from organic compounds. Chemical formula: SO ₃ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulfur trioxide¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Researchers at Tampere University have discovered that sulfur trioxide can form products other than sulfuric acid in the atmosphere by interacting with organic and inorganic acids.

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Crimea’s leader, Sergei Aksenov, identified the chemical as sulfur trioxide from the titanium plant.

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Consumers Energy officials say the improvements also will significantly reduce emissions of sulfur trioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and hydrogen chloride.

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The new process, announced by Chemical Engineers Arthur Warren Hixson and Alvan Howard Tenney of Columbia University: sulfur, through burning and catalysis, is changed to sulfur trioxide gas which is then infiltrated through common salt.

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Similarly, spongy platinum accelerates the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide, in the commercial manufacture of sulfuric acid.

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