GROUP 16 (AS)

SULFUR
( eg SO2 )

Sources of SO2

1. From human activity : egs

a. combustion of fossil fuel/petroleum
Proteins in plants and animals consist of
amino acids. Certain amino acids contains S
Eg : cystine and methionine
Plants & animals decay compressed by
high pressure & temp forms fossil fuel
Petroleum burned in air S oxidised to SO2

b. Contact process
c. manufacture of cement or bricks
d. coal power stations
FeS present in coal is oxidised to SO2
CaO is used to absorb and prevent the SO2
from being released into the atmosphere

2. From natural sources: egs

a. volcanoes
b. rotting vegetation and plankton

Acid Rain

1. Role of SO2 :
a. Acid rain: rain having pH less than 5.6
b. One of the chief culprit in formation of acid
rain is SO2 released into the atmosphere
c. SO2 + moisture + O2 forms H2SO4
Eqn : 2SO2 + 2H2O + O2 2H2SO4

2. Effects of acid rain :

a. kills fishes in lakes :

SO42- in acid rain combines with aluminium
in complex compounds (eg clay) to form
soluble Al2(SO4)3
This washes into streams where it interferes with
the operation of fish gills which becomes clogged
with mucus.
Fishes die from lack of oxygen

b. damage to trees and crops :

i) Al3+ poisons trees
ii) essential nutrients are washed from soil.
Trees starve to death.

c. corrodes or damages
i) buildings ( contains limestone or marble
CaCO3 )
ii) metallic structures eg bridges , ships and
motor vehicles

Uses of SO2

1. Manufacture of H2SO4 (Contact Process)

a. sulfur is burned in air
S + O2 SO2 , H = exothermic
b. further oxidation :
2SO2 + O2 2SO3 , H = exothermic

Conditions :
catalyst V2O5 , vanadium (V) oxide
4500 C , 1 - 2 atm
c. SO3 absorbed in 98% H2SO4
SO3 (g) + H2SO4 (l) H2S2O7
oleum
H2S2O7 (l) + H2O (l) 2H2SO4 (l)

Note : SO3 is not absorbed in water

Equation : SO3 (g) + H2O (l) H2SO4 (l)
Reason :
Reaction is intensely exothermic as to
vaporise H2SO4 formed(fumes are corrosive )

Industrial importance of H2SO4 :

Manufacture of fertilisers , detergents ,
pigments , synthetic fibres and organic
chemicals ( eg dyestuff and explosives )

2. As a preservative :
a. SO2 is an inorganic food additive
Eg : soft drinks . wine , soups , preserved
vegetables or fruits ( apricots , raisins )
Function of SO2 :
To kill or inhibit growth of yeast / fungi /
micro-organisms/bacteria

b. cooked and processed food contains carbonyl

compounds
SO2 is a reducing agent ( anti oxidant ) therefore
retard oxidation of food
Eg : Prevents alcohols and carbonyl compound (
aldehydes ) in food from being oxidised and
forming sour-tasting acids
Note : SO32- (sulfites) are also used in food
preservation