China, Germany, and the United States are the leading exporters of sulfur trioxide, collectively accounting for over 60% of global exports in recent years; major importers include India, South Korea, and Brazil, driven by demand from sulfuric acid production and chemical manufacturing. Trade volumes have remained relatively stable since 2022, with modest growth in Asian imports coinciding with fluctuations in sulfur trioxide prices linked to upstream sulfur supply and energy costs.
Sulfur trioxide is a colorless to white crystalline solid at room temperature, existing in several polymorphic forms; it is highly volatile and fumes vigorously in air due to rapid reaction with moisture, with a melting point of 16.8 °C and boiling point of 45 °C. It is an inorganic oxide and a key acidic anhydride—specifically, the anhydride of sulfuric acid. Industrially, sulfur trioxide serves almost exclusively as a reactive intermediate in the contact process for sulfuric acid production, where it is absorbed in concentrated sulfuric acid to form oleum. Its principal downstream applications are in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, which in turn is used extensively in fertilizer production (e.g., phosphate rock processing), metal processing, and chemical synthesis. It is not typically used directly in end-product formulations but enables large-scale production of sulfonated compounds, detergents, dyes, and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Sulfur trioxide is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of sulphuric acid and oleum for sulphonation, in particular, of dyes and dye-stuffs, and for the production of anhydrous nitric acid and explosives. Solid Sulfur trioxide is marketed under such names as Sulphan and Triosul, and is used primarily for sulphonation of organic acids. Sulphur tetrafluoride is a fluorinating agent. Sulphur hexafluoride serves as a gaseous insulator in high-voltage electric installations. Sulphyryl fluoride is used as an insecticide and a fumigant.Sulfonation of organic compounds, especially nonionic detergents, solar energy collectors. It is usually generated in the plant where it is to be used.
Sulfur trioxide, S03, also known as sulfuric anhydride, needles or polymer, exists in a number of modifications that differ in molecular species and crystalline form. It has a white,ice-like modification that melts at 16°C (61°F) and two other as bestos-like forms that melt at the higher temperatures of 33 and 62°C (90 and 144 °F). The colorless liquid or gas form has irritating, toxic fumes and boils at 45 °C (112 °F).
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals. See more about what is Sulfur trioxide and Sulfur trioxide SDS information.
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