Pyrosulfuric

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to or derived from an acid formed by the removal of water from sulfuric acid; describing chemical compounds containing sulfur and oxygen linked through dehydration processes; pertaining to a class of compounds associated with sulfuric acid transformation
2. Connected to a type of acid produced by condensing sulfuric acid molecules; characterizing substances involving sulfur-oxygen bonds formed by eliminating water; indicating properties of compounds related to concentrated sulfuric acid derivatives
3. Associated with acids generated by dehydration of sulfuric acid; involving chemicals where sulfur and oxygen are combined in dehydrated forms; referring to the nature or composition of sulfuric acid-related compounds undergoing chemical condensation

Etymology: Pyrosulfuric acid is built from "pyro-", from Greek "pyr" meaning fire, and "sulfuric," the adjective from "sulfur." The "pyro-" prefix in chemistry does not mean fire here. It signals heat: pyrosulfuric acid is what you get when sulfuric acid is heated and water is driven off, so chemists formed names like this one to describe compounds made by heating or dehydrating a parent substance. The compound is also known as oleum or fuming sulfuric acid, because it releases sulfur trioxide gas that reacts with moist air to form a visible mist. Its formula, H2S2O7, shows two sulfur atoms joined through a bridging oxygen, which is what distinguishes it from ordinary sulfuric acid, H2SO4.

Synonyms: oleum, fuming sulfuric acid