What is "camphorsulfonic acid"

Camphorsulfonic acid, sometimes abbreviated CSA or 10-CSA is an organosulfur compound. Like typical sulfonic acids, it is a relatively strong acid that is a colorless solid at room temperature and is soluble in water and a wide variety of organic substances.

This compound is commercially available. It can be prepared by sulfonation of camphor with sulfuric acid and acetic anhydride:

In organic synthesis, CSA and its derivatives can be used as resolving agents for chiral amines and other cations. For example, 3-bromocamphor-8-sulfonic acid was used in the synthesis of enantiopure devazepide.

• Trimetaphan camsilate ( trimethaphan camsylate) is another good example.