2 Al (s) + 6 H2SO4 (aq) 3 SO2 (aq) + Al2(SO4)3 (aq) + 6 H2O (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

3 SVI + 6 e- 3 SIV (reduction)

2 Al0 - 6 e- 2 AlIII (oxidation)

H2SO4 is an oxidizing agent, Al is a reducing agent.

Reactants:

  • Al
    • Names: Aluminum source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Aluminium powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Al source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: Silvery-white-to-grey powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Silvery-white, malleable, ductile, odorless metal. source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • H2SO4Sulfuric acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Oil of vitriol source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Sulfuric acid, concentrated (> 51% and < 100%) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, H2SO4 source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Odourless colourless oily hygroscopic liquid source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless to dark-brown, oily, odorless liquid. [Note: Pure compound is a solid below 51°F. Often used in an aqueous solution.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • SO2Sulfur dioxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Sulfurous anhydride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Sulphur dioxide source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Sulfurous acid anhydride source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28; Colourless gas or compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless gas with a characteristic, irritating, pungent odor. [Note: A liquid below 14°F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • Al2(SO4)3Aluminium sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Aluminum sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Aluminium sulphate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Cake alum source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid | hygroscopic source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Odourless white hygroscopic lustrous crystals or powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • H2OWater, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27