The strongest acid known in the world is Fluoroantimonic acid.
Based on available information, including the provided reference, fluoroantimonic acid holds the title of the strongest acid. It is classified as a superacid, meaning it is more acidic than 100% sulfuric acid. Its incredible strength makes it extremely difficult to handle and store.
Properties and Handling
Due to its exceptional acidity, fluoroantimonic acid presents unique challenges:
- Extreme Reactivity: It readily donates protons, making it react vigorously with almost anything, including substances that are typically considered non-reactive.
- Containment: As highlighted in the reference, fluoroantimonic acid can be contained exclusively in teflon material. This is because most other materials, including glass, would be dissolved by the acid.
- Comparison: Its acidity is many orders of magnitude greater than even common strong acids like sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) or hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Understanding the properties of superacids like fluoroantimonic acid is crucial in advanced chemical research and specific industrial processes where extremely strong protonating agents are required. However, its dangerous nature necessitates specialized equipment and stringent safety protocols for handling.
