Sulfanate

Sulfanate is a term that can refer to a few different chemical entities, primarily related to sulfur and oxygen. In organic chemistry, a sulfonate ester is a functional group with the general structure R-SO2-OR', where R and R' are organic groups. These compounds are often used as leaving groups in nucleophilic substitution reactions due to the stability of the sulfonate anion. Examples include tosylates (p-toluenesulfonates) and mesylates (methanesulfonates).

In inorganic chemistry, sulfanate can also refer to the sulfanate ion, [SO3]-. This ion is a derivative of sulfur trioxide. It is less common than other sulfur-oxygen anions like sulfate ([SO4]2-) or sulfite ([SO3]2-). The sulfanate ion is typically encountered in specific chemical contexts and is not as widely studied or utilized as its more common sulfur-oxygen counterparts. Its properties and reactivity are distinct due to the unpaired electron or formal charge distribution within the ion. The nomenclature can sometimes be a source of confusion, as "sulfonate" can also be used as a verb or adjective describing a process or characteristic related to sulfonation, the introduction of a sulfonic acid group (-SO3H) or sulfonate group (-SO3-) into a molecule.