Hydrogen chloride or most commonly known as hydrochloric acid and
muriatic acid is a diatomic compound that consists of hydrogen and chlorine. It
is prepared industrially by the combustion of hydrogen, H2, in chlorine, Cl2.
H2 + Cl2 -> 2HCl. There are also many metallic chlorides that release
hydrogen chloride gas, HCl, when warmed with concentrated sulfuric acid, H2SO4.
Mostly, it is prepared by heating it with sulfuric acid and sodium chloride.
The reaction is NaCl + H2SO4 -> HCl + NaHSO4. Adding sulfuric acid enables the reaction to proceed further and it acts as a catalyst in the reaction.
