Superacid
An acid stronger than pure sulfuric acid, capable of protonating species normally regarded as completely non-basic.
Formula / equation
H₀ < −12
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Strength is measured on the Hammett acidity function rather than by pH, since these systems are not aqueous. Superacids can protonate alkanes and stabilise carbocations long enough to be observed spectroscopically, work for which George Olah received the Nobel Prize.
Examples in the real world
Fluoroantimonic acid, HF·SbF₅, which is around 10¹⁶ times stronger than concentrated sulfuric acid.