sulphonic acid
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A type of strong organic acid: Sulphonic acid is a compound characterized by the functional group -SO₃H, where a sulfur atom is bonded to three oxygen atoms and one carbon atom from an organic group. It is a strong acid, often derived from or related to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) by replacement of a hydroxyl group (-OH) with an organic radical.
Usage and Examples
- General Use: Sulphonic acids are important in industrial chemistry and the production of various materials.
- Scientific Context: The term is used to describe the specific class of organosulfur compounds.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- Chemical Properties: Sulphonic acids are typically strong, water-soluble acids. Their salts (sulphonates) are often used for their surfactant properties.
- Derivation: While the definition states it is "derived from sulphuric acid," this is a historical and conceptual derivation. In modern organic chemistry, they are synthesized via various routes, such as the sulfonation of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Variants and Related Words
- Sulfonic acid: The preferred spelling in American English (using 'f' instead of 'ph').
- Sulphonate (Noun): The salt or ester of a sulphonic acid.
- Sulphonyl (Noun): The divalent group -SO₂- derived from sulphonic acid.
Synonyms
- Organosulfonic acid: A more precise synonym emphasizing the organic component.
- Alkylsulphonic acid / Arylsulphonic acid: Terms specifying the type of organic group (alkyl or aryl) attached to the -SO₃H group.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Sulphonic acid group / Sulfo group: Refers specifically to the -SO₃H functional group itself.
- Sulphonation (Noun): The chemical process of introducing a sulphonic acid group into an organic compound.
Noun
- an acid derived from sulphuric acid