sulfonic acid

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of a large group of organic compounds of the structure RSO 2 OH, which are strong acids that give neutral sodium salts: used in the synthesis of phenols, dyes, and other substances.

sulfonic acid

/ sŭl-fŏn′ĭk /

1. Any of several acids containing the group SO 3 H attached to an organic radical. Sulfonic acids and their salts are important in industry as catalysts in organic synthesis and in making sulfonamide drugs, detergents, and dyes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulfonic acid¹

First recorded in 1870–75