sulfata

Sulfata is a term used in several languages to refer to sulfate, the chemical species derived from sulfuric acid. In English, the standard term is sulfate, but sulfata may appear in texts where Latin, Romance, or regional spellings are used. The word can also denote salts and esters of sulfuric acid in those languages.

Chemically, sulfata(s) correspond to the sulfate ion, SO4^2−, which adopts a tetrahedral geometry with four equivalent S–O bonds. In salts, the sulfate ion is balanced by cations such as calcium, magnesium, or sodium. Sulfates form numerous minerals, including gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and anhydrite (CaSO4). Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) and barium sulfate are other well-known examples. Sulfate esters, produced by replacing hydrogen on sulfuric acid with organic groups, are common in chemistry and industry and have significant utility as detergents, lubricants components, and pharmaceutical prodrugs.

Production: Industrial sulfate is produced by the contact process or by neutralization of sulfuric acid with bases. Natural sulfates occur in seawater and in many minerals.

Applications: Used in construction (cement, plaster), agriculture (soil conditioner and fertilizer), food processing, water treatment, and industrial chemistry.

Safety and regulation: Most sulfates have low acute toxicity but can cause irritation in high concentrations. Water-soluble sulfates may contribute to environmental impacts at high levels; regulatory limits exist for drinking water and effluents. See also sulfate.