What is a sulfuric acid catalyst?

A sulfuric acid catalyst is a chemical that speeds chemical reactions without being consumed. It is synthesized from sulfuric acid, which is a colorless, pungent and highly corrosive mineral acid. It is used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products, including cloth and plastics.

When used as a catalyst, sulfuric acid brings about reactions that would have otherwise been impossible. Since sulfuric acid is a strong acid, only small amounts of it are needed. It is an effective catalyst as it is able to donate protons to the reactants, and these donated protons help to lower the activation energy of a reaction.