sulfonic acid

American  

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.

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sulfonic acid Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of sulfonic acid

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The particular compound in the beef is known as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 28, 2022

On the fifth day she takes a half-teaspoonful of cystine, cysteine, d-1-methionine, l-methionine, cystine-disulfoxide, sulfonic acid or cysteic acid, the seven body sulfur compounds crystallized by Lankenau's Chemist Gerrit Toennies.

From Time Magazine Archive

The sulfinic acid is difficult to dry without partial conversion into the sulfonic acid.

From Organic Syntheses by Conant, James Bryant

Upon cooling, mesitylene sulfonic acid crystallizes and the unsulfonated material remains as an oil on the surface.

From Organic Syntheses by Conant, James Bryant