“Geber’s Method” and “Greener” Synthesis of Sulfuric Acid

The release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere as a result of man’s domestic and industrial activities is a great environmental concern. A significant source of SO2 release into the atmosphere is industrial manufacture of sulfuric acid. A synthetic procedure that is linked with the medieval alchemist named Geber is introduced as a method to be considered for “greener” synthesis of sulfuric acid. The method is based on the calcination of “green vitriol” in the presence of air. The synthetic pathway leads to the production of sulfuric acid without producing SO2 and is also environmentally advantageous as its starting material is a green natural product (“green vitriol”) and as it leaves no environmentally unfriendly byproduct.