Sulfuric acid and related compounds

Gaseous H2SO4 reacts with one water molecule to form a complex in which the two molecules are joined by two hydrogen bonds, one of them very short [6]. See Fig. 20.6. As expected, the shorter hydrogen bond is the one characterized by the larger O- H-0 angle. 

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The corrosion resistance of lead is due to the formation of a thin surface film of an insoluble lead salt that protects the metal from sulfuric acid and related compounds of any strength at ordinary temperatures. Even when (he temperature increases to nearly 100°C the rates of corrosion are still low. However, strong, hot sulfuric acid attacks lead rapidly, especially if the acid is flowing. 

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