oil of vitriol: see sulfuric acid sulfuric acid, chemical compound, H₂SO₄, colorless, odorless, extremely corrosive, oily liquid. It is sometimes called oil of vitriol.

Concentrated Sulfuric Acid

When heated, the pure 100% acid loses sulfur trioxide gas, SO
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sulfuric acid

or oil of vitriol

Dense, colourless, oily, corrosive liquid inorganic compound (H₂SO₄). A very strong acid, it forms ions of hydrogen or hydronium (H⁺ or H₃O⁺), hydrogen sulfate (HSO₄⁻), and sulfate (SO₄²⁻). It is also an oxidizing (see oxidation-reduction) and dehydrating agent and chars many organic materials. It is one of the most important industrial chemicals, used in various concentrations in manufacturing fertilizers, pigments, dyes, drugs, explosives, detergents, and inorganic salts and acids, in petroleum refining and metallurgical processes, and as the acid in lead-acid storage batteries. It is made industrially by dissolving sulfur trioxide (SO₃) in water, sometimes beyond the saturation point to make oleum (fuming sulfuric acid), used to make certain organic chemicals.