The most important use of sulphur is in the manufacture of sulphur compounds, such as sulphuric acid, sulphites, sulphates, and sulphur dioxide.
Medicinally, it has assumed importance because of its widespread use in sulpha drugs and in many skin ointments.
Sulphur is also employed in the production of matches, vulcanized rubber, dyes, and gunpowder.
In a finely divided state and, frequently, mixed with lime, sulphur is used as a fungicide on plants.
The salt, sodium thiosulphate, Na2S2O3ยท5H2O, commonly called hypo, is used in photography for fixing negatives and prints.
When combined with various inert mineral fillers, sulphur forms a special cement used to anchor metal objects, such as railings and chains, in stone.
Sulphuric acid is one of the most important of all industrial chemicals. It is not only used in the manufacture of sulphur-containing molecules but also in the manufacture of numerous other materials that do not contain sulphur, such as phosphoric acid.
