Sulphonalism is a term used in medicine to describe the excessive use or addiction to the drug sulphonal, a sedative-hypnotic medication. Its pronunciation is /sʌlˈfəʊnəlɪzəm/ (sul-FOE-nuh-liz-uhm) with stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word is based on the chemical name for the drug, which contains the element sulphur. It is important to note that in some regions, including the United States, the spelling of this term is often simplified to "sulfonalism" due to differences in spelling conventions.
Sulphonalism is a term used in the field of chemistry to refer to the study or characterization of compounds that contain the sulfonyl functional group. The sulfonyl group (-SO2-) consists of a sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms and one organic group. Sulfonyl groups are highly reactive and are commonly found in a variety of chemical compounds and functional groups.
Sulphonalism involves the investigation of the physical and chemical properties, synthesis, structure, and reactivity of sulfonyl-containing compounds. It encompasses the understanding of the different types of sulfonyl compounds, such as sulfones, sulfoxides, sulfonamides, and sulfonic acids, and their characterization methods, including spectroscopic techniques like infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Additionally, sulphonalism explores the various applications and uses of sulfonyl compounds in different fields such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, materials science, and organic synthesis. Sulfonyl compounds have been widely utilized as drugs due to their potential therapeutic properties and biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
In summary, sulphonalism is an area of study in chemistry that focuses on sulfonyl compounds, investigating their properties, synthesis, structure, reactivity, and applications. It plays a crucial role in the development of new drugs, materials, and chemical processes, contributing to advancements in various scientific and industrial sectors.
Chronic sulphonal poisoning; addiction to sulphonal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.