Question
Which from following catalysts is used in contact process of industrial production of sulfuric acid using SO _2 and O _2 (air).
MHT CET
Chemistry
p Block Elements (Group 15, 16, 17 & 18)
2026
MHT CET 2026 (17 April Shift 1)
MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. Ni (finely divided)
- B. Platinised asbestos
- C. Co-Th
- D. Fe-Cr
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 synthesis. Fe-Cr is used in the Bosch process. Answer: Platinised asbestos
Related: Chemistry — p Block Elements (Group 15, 16, 17 & 18) · All PYQ Banks