Hydrochloric acid

History

Hydrochloric acid was first discovered around the year 800 by Arab-Yemeni alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber), by mixing common salt with vitriol (sulfuric acid). Jabir discovered or invented many important chemicals, and wrote his findings in over 20 books which carried his chemical knowledge of hydrochloric acid and other basic chemicals for hundreds of years. Jabir's invention of the gold-dissolving aqua regia, consisting of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, contributed to the effort of alchemists trying to find the philosopher's stone.

Related Topics:
800 - Arab - Yemeni - Alchemist - Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber) - Common salt - Vitriol - Sulfuric acid - Aqua regia - Nitric acid - Philosopher's stone

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In the Middle Ages, hydrochloric acid was known to European alchemists as spirit of salt or acidum salis. Gaseous HCl was called marine acid air. The old (pre-systematic) name muriatic acid has the same origin (muriatic means "pertaining to brine or salt"), and this name is still sometimes used. Notable production was recorded by Basilius Valentinus, the alchemist-abbott of the Augustinians abbey in Erfurt, Germany in the 15th century.

Related Topics:
Middle Ages - Systematic - Basilius Valentinus - Augustinians - Erfurt, Germany - 15th century

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In the 17th century, Johann Rudolf Glauber from Karlstadt am Main, Germany used salt (sodium chloride) and sulfuric acid for the preparation of sodium sulfate, releasing hydrogen chloride gas. Joseph Priestley from Leeds, England prepared pure hydrogen chloride in 1772, and in 1818 Humphry Davy from Penzance, England proved that the chemical composition included hydrogen and chlorine.

Related Topics:
17th century - Johann Rudolf Glauber - Karlstadt am Main, Germany - Sodium chloride - Sulfuric acid - Sodium sulfate - Hydrogen chloride - Joseph Priestley - Leeds, England - 1772 - 1818 - Humphry Davy - Penzance, England - Hydrogen - Chlorine

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During the Industrial Revolution in Europe, demand for alkaline substances, such as soda ash increased, and the new industrial soda-process by Nicolas Leblanc (Issoundun, France) enabled cheap large-scale production. In the Leblanc process, salt is converted to soda ash, using sulfuric acid, limestone, and coal, releasing hydrogen chloride as a by-product. Until the Alkali Act of 1863 prohibited it, excess HCl was vented to the air. After the passage of the act, soda ash producers were obliged to absorb the waste gas in water, producing hydrochloric acid on an industrial scale.

Related Topics:
Industrial Revolution - Alkaline - Soda ash - Nicolas Leblanc - Issoundun, France - Leblanc process - Alkali Act - 1863

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When early in the 20th century the Leblanc process was effectively replaced by the Solvay process without hydrochloric acid by-product, hydrochloric acid was already fully settled as an important chemical in numerous applications. The commercial interest initiated other production methods which are still used today, as described below. Today, most hydrochloric acid is made by absorbing hydrogen chloride from industrial organic compounds production.

Related Topics:
20th century - Solvay process - Industrial organic compounds production

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Hydrochloric acid is listed as a Table II precursor under the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances because of its use in the production of heroin and cocaine http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/list/red.pdf.

Related Topics:
1988 - Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances - Heroin - Cocaine

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