The spelling of the word "sulfonate" can be a bit tricky due to the multiple phonetic sounds and combinations present. The word is pronounced |ˈsʌlfəneɪt|, with the stress on the first syllable. The "sul-" sounds like "sull", with the "l" almost silent. The "-fon-" sounds like "fahn" with a short "a" sound, followed by a nasal "n". The "-ate" ending is pronounced like "ayt". Overall, "sulfonate" is spelled with the letter "s" followed by "u", "l", "f", "o", "n", "a", "t", and pronounced |ˈsʌlfəneɪt|.
Sulfonate is a term used in chemistry to describe a class of organic compounds that contain a sulfonic acid group (SO3H) in their structure. It is derived from the sulfonic acid, which is a strong acid known for its sulfonic group (SO3H) attached to a hydrogen atom.
Sulfonates are typically formed when the hydrogen atom in the sulfonic acid group is replaced by an organic group or a metal cation. This substitution creates a new compound with a sulfonate moiety (SO3-) that retains the electronegativity and reactivity of the original sulfonic acid.
Sulfonates are widely employed in various industrial applications, including detergents, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Due to their high solubility in water and ability to lower the surface tension of liquids, sulfonates are commonly used as surfactants and emulsifiers, helping to disperse or dissolve substances that are typically immiscible in water.
In addition to their role as surfactants, sulfonates also exhibit significant biological activity and are frequently used as active ingredients in pharmaceutical products, including antibiotics and antineoplastic drugs. Furthermore, sulfonates have diverse properties that make them suitable for various applications such as catalysts, lubricants, and corrosion inhibitors.
Overall, sulfonate compounds are versatile and valuable substances in chemistry, industry, and medicinal fields due to their range of uses and properties.
A salt of sulphonic acid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sulfonate" is derived from the term "sulfonic acid".
The term "sulfonic acid" was coined from the combination of the elements "sulfur" and "onic acid". "Sulfur" refers to the chemical element, which comes from the Latin word "sulfur" meaning "sulfur" or "brimstone".
The suffix "-onic" in "sulfonic acid" is derived from the term "oxonium", which is a hypothetical cation (positively charged ion) in which oxygen carries an extra positive charge. The term "oxonium" is derived from the Greek word "oxý" meaning "sharp" or "acid", which is also related to the Greek word "oxýs" meaning "acid" or "sour".