MHT CET202617 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryp Block Elements (Group 15, 16, 17 & 18)Actual
Which from following catalysts is used in contact process of industrial production of sulfuric acid using SO ₂ and O ₂ (air).
Options
- ANi (finely divided)
- BPlatinised asbestos
- CCo-Th
- DFe-Cr
Correct answer
B. Platinised asbestos
Step-by-step solution
The contact process is used for the industrial production of sulfuric acid. The key step in this process is the catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide ( SO ₂ ) to sulfur trioxide ( SO ₃ ) using oxygen ( O ₂ ) from the air. The reaction is: 2 SO ₂(g) + O ₂(g) 2 SO ₃(g) This reaction is catalyzed by platinised asbestos or vanadium pentoxide ( V ₂ O ₅ ). Among the given options, platinised asbestos is the correct catalyst. Finely divided Ni is used in the hydrogenation of oils. Co-Th is used in Fischer-Tropsch synthesi