SULPHOPHENOL Meaning and
Definition
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Sulphophenol is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of organosulfur compounds, specifically sulfonic acids. It is derived from the combination of a phenol group, which consists of a hydroxyl group bonded to an aromatic benzene ring, with a sulfonic acid group, which contains a sulfur atom bonded to three oxygen atoms.
The term "sulphophenol" is commonly used to refer to 4-methylumbelliferyl-2-sulphoacetate (MUS), a specific derivative of phenol. MUS is a commonly employed fluorescent substrate used in biochemical research and analysis. Its unique fluorescent properties allow it to be utilized as a probe or indicator for certain enzymatic reactions or processes. It is frequently employed in conjunction with enzymes such as sulfatases and esterases.
Sulphophenol compounds often possess significant biological activities and can serve as effective tools in various scientific fields. Their utility extends to areas such as medicine, biochemistry, and environmental sciences. Researchers and scientists utilize sulphophenols to investigate enzyme kinetics, study biological processes, and detect specific enzymatic activities.
Due to its specialized usage and implications in research, the term "sulphophenol" is primarily understood within scientific and technical contexts. Its significance lies particularly in the realm of biochemical research, where it plays an instrumental role in analyzing enzymatic reactions and identifying key processes.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SULPHOPHENOL
Etymology of SULPHOPHENOL
The word "sulphophenol" is not a commonly used term in English. However, it can be broken down into its two components to determine its etymology.
"Sulpho" derives from the Greek word "sulphur", meaning "sulfur" in English. "Sulphur" refers to a yellow, nonmetallic chemical element commonly found in volcanic areas or as a component of certain minerals such as pyrite or gypsum.
"Phenol", on the other hand, comes from the Greek word "phaino", meaning "to shine" or "to appear". Phenol specifically refers to a class of organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to an aromatic ring.
