Pyrosulfate is a chemical compound with the formula S2O7^2-. The word is spelled with the letter Y instead of the more common I due to the usage of the combining form pyro- meaning "fire" in Greek. The phonetic transcription of pyrosulfate is /paɪrəʊsʌlfeɪt/ where the stress is on the first syllable. The pronunciation consists of the diphthong /aɪ/ and a clearly pronounced /s/ sound, while the final syllable is pronounced like /feɪt/.
Pyrosulfate is a chemical compound that refers to a polyatomic ion containing the sulfate anion with an additional oxygen atom, resulting in a dimeric structure. It is also known as persulfate or peroxydisulfate. The pyrosulfate ion has a chemical formula of S2O82-.
Pyrosulfate forms when the doubly negative sulfate anion SO42- reacts with an oxidizing agent, resulting in the loss of two oxygen atoms from the original sulfate anion. This process creates a new bond between the sulfur atoms, yielding a dimeric structure that consists of two sulfate groups connected by a peroxide bridge (S-O-O-S). The resulting ion is highly reactive due to the presence of the peroxide bridge.
Pyrosulfate is commonly used as a strong oxidizing agent in various chemical processes, including in the production of dyes, medicines, and detergents. It finds applications as a bleaching agent in paper and textiles industries, as well as in analytical chemistry for the extraction of metals from ores. It also serves as a powerful oxidizer for initiating chemical reactions and as a source of free radicals.
Pyrosulfate is highly unstable and can decompose explosively under certain conditions, releasing oxygen gas. Therefore, it should be handled with caution and stored under controlled conditions to avoid accidental eruptions or combustion.
The word "pyrosulfate" has its roots in Greek and Latin.
The term "pyro" comes from the Greek word "puros", which means "fire" or "hot". It became a common prefix used to denote compounds or processes involving heat or fire.
The term "sulfate" comes from the Latin word "sulfur", which means "sulfur" or "brimstone". In Latin, "sulfatum" means "salt containing sulfur", and this term was used to describe various sulfur compounds.
So, combining the Greek prefix "pyro" meaning "fire" and the Latin term "sulfate" meaning "sulfur", we have "pyrosulfate", which can be understood to mean a compound or salt containing sulfur and associated with heat or fire.