Phenylsulfone

Phenylsulfone is an organosulfur compound with the chemical formula (C6H5)2SO2. It is a white crystalline solid at room temperature and is characterized by the presence of a sulfonyl group connecting two phenyl rings. The sulfonyl group (SO2) is a functional group composed of a sulfur atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms.

Phenylsulfone is soluble in many organic solvents but has low solubility in water. It is a relatively stable compound, resistant to oxidation and reduction under normal conditions. Its synthesis typically involves the oxidation of diphenyl sulfide or the Friedel-Crafts reaction between benzene and sulfuryl chloride.

This compound finds applications as a plasticizer, a heat transfer fluid, and as a monomer in the synthesis of high-performance polymers like polysulfones. Polysulfones are known for their excellent thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, making them useful in aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. Phenylsulfone itself can also be a byproduct or intermediate in various industrial chemical processes. Its relatively low toxicity is also a factor in its use.