What is "sulfonic acid"

alt. 1 (context chemistry English) a strong inorganic acid, HSO₂OH 2 (context chemistry English) the univalent functional group -SO₂OH 3 (context chemistry English) any member of the class or organic acids containing this group; used in detergents, dyes and ion exchange resins n. 1 (context chemistry English) a strong inorganic acid, HSO₂OH 2 (context chemistry English) the univalent functional group -SO₂OH 3 (context chemistry English) any member of the class or organic acids containing this group; used in detergents, dyes and ion exchange resins

n. n acid derived from sulphuric acid [syn: sulphonic acid]

A sulfonic acid (or sulphonic acid) refers to a member of the class of organosulfur compounds with the general formula R−S(=O)−OH, where R is an organic alkyl or aryl group and the S(=O)−OH group a sulfonyl hydroxide. A sulfonic acid can be thought of as sulfuric acid with one hydroxyl group replaced by an organic substituent. The parent compound (with the organic substituent replaced by hydrogen) is the hypothetical compound sulfurous acid. Salts or esters of sulfonic acids are called sulfonates.