Sulfur trioxide
Also known as Sulphur trioxide, Sulfur oxide (SO3), Sulfan
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- White needles
- Melting point
- 62.2 °C
- Boiling point
- 44.8 °C
- Density
- Critical density: 0.630 g/cm³
- Solubility
- Slowly very sol in aqueous, and sol in 100 parts water at room temp
- HS code
- 283220
- Category
- Sulfates and sulfur salts
- UN number
- UN 1829

What is Sulfur trioxide?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Sulfur trioxide is a sulfur oxide.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- sulfur trioxide
- CAS number
- 7446-11-9 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 12210-38-7
- EC number
- 231-197-3
- Molecular formula
- O3S
- UNII
- HH2O7V4LYD
- InChIKey
- AKEJUJNQAAGONA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/O3S/c1-4(2)3
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- O=S(=O)=O
Synonyms
- Sulphur trioxide
- Sulfur oxide (SO3)
- Sulfan
- Sulfuric oxide
- Sulfur trioxide, stabilized
- Sulfuric anhydride
- Sulfite radical anion
- Sulfur trioxide, contains stabilizer, >=99%
- Nisso sulfan
- Trioxo-lambda~6~-sulfane
- [SO3]
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | White needlesexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Melting point | 62.2 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Boiling point | 44.8 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | Critical density: 0.630 g/cm³exp.Measured value |
| Solubility | Slowly very sol in aqueous, and sol in 100 parts water at room tempexp.Measured value |
| Vapour pressure | 73 mm Hg at 25 °C /alpha-form/exp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 80.06 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 79.9568 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | -1calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 51.21 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 0calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 3calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 0calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 4calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 0calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H318Causes serious eye damage.
- H330Fatal if inhaled.
- H335May cause respiratory irritation.
- H351Suspected of causing cancer.
- H411Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements (24)
- P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273Avoid release to the environment.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P284In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
- P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P317Get medical help.
- P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P320Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P391Collect spillage.
- P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405Store locked up.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 1829
- Transport hazard class
- 8
- Packing group
- I
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidSulfur trioxide suppliers
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- India, Valsad ManufacturerUnclaimed profileSulphur trioxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Mumbai ManufacturerUnclaimed profileSulfur trioxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
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- China, ZhengzhouUnclaimed profileSulfur trioxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- Russia, Moscow ManufacturerUnclaimed profileSulfur trioxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Mumbai ManufacturerUnclaimed profileSulphur TrioxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Cuddalore ManufacturerUnclaimed profileSulphur Tri OxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Mumbai ManufacturerUnclaimed profileSulphur trioxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Ahmedabad ManufacturerUnclaimed profileSulphur TrioxideGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
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28 suppliers in 6 countries
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Sulfur trioxide price
Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers
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Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
Intermediate in sulfuric acid manufacture, in sulfonations for formation of addition cmpd with amines, in the manufacture of explosives.
Sulfonation of organic compounds, especially nonionic detergents, solar energy collectors.
Production of detergents, as a raw material for chlorosulfuric acid and 65% oleum. Has been added to cooled combustion gases at many coal burning power plants to improve dust removal in electrostatic precipitators.
Sulfur trioxide is used as such for preparing sulfonated oils, and alkyl arenesulfonate detergents.
Used as a powerful, but generally indiscriminate oxidizing agent, however, it will selectively oxidize pentachlorotoluene and similar compounds to the alcohol.
Functional uses
- Binder
How it is made
Prepared by the contact process, for example, by the action of oxygen on sulfur dioxide in the presence of catalysts such as platinized asbestos, platinized magnesium sulfate, ferric oxide or vanadium compounds.
Liquid sulfur trioxide is produced by heating oleum in a boiler to generate SO3 gas which is then condensed.
May be prepared in the laboratory by heating fuming sulfuric acid and collecting the sublimate in a cooled receiver. If the vapor is condensed above 27 °C, the gamma form is obtained as a liquid. If the vapor is condensed below 27 °C and in the presence of a trace of moisture, a mixture of all 3 forms is obtained. The 3 forms can be separated by fractional distillation.
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
United States
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Sulfur trioxide is traded under.
Sulphites, thiosulphates, other sulphites
- United States50.3%
- United Kingdom8.7%
- India * partner reported7.1%
* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.
The HS code shown for Sulfur trioxide is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Sulfur trioxide, based on the data on this page
What is Sulfur trioxide?
What is the CAS number of Sulfur trioxide?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Sulfur trioxide?
What is Sulfur trioxide used for?
Is Sulfur trioxide hazardous?
What is the HS code of Sulfur trioxide?
Where can I buy Sulfur trioxide?
Where can I buy Sulfur trioxide in India?
What is the price of Sulfur trioxide?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Sulfur trioxide
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
- Guide, SafetyGHS pictograms, signal words and hazard statements explainedA practical guide to the nine GHS pictograms, the signal words Danger and Warning, H and P statements, and how to read a chemical label in seconds.Read
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