Sulfatation

Sulfatation, sometimes referred to as sulfation in English, is a chemical process in which a sulfo group (SO3 or SO4) is introduced into a molecule. In organic synthesis, sulfonation adds a sulfonyl or sulfonate group to substrates such as aromatics, often increasing polarity and water solubility. Common reagents for sulfonation include sulfur trioxide–pyridine complex and chlorosulfonic acid, and reaction conditions are typically carefully controlled due to exothermicity.

In biochemistry, sulfation is a phase II metabolic reaction that attaches a sulfate group to acceptor molecules, including phenols, alcohols, sugars, steroids, and drugs. This transfer is catalyzed by sulfotransferase enzymes (SULTs) and uses 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) as the universal sulfate donor. The reaction yields a sulfated product and 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphate (PAP). Sulfation modulates the activity, solubility, and excretion of many compounds and plays important roles in hormone signaling and detoxification, as well as in the modification of glycosaminoglycans.

In materials science, sulfonated polymers incorporate sulfonate groups to create ionic conductivity, as seen in materials like Nafion, which are used in fuel cells and separation membranes.

Measurement and safety: Sulfation reactions and enzymes are studied using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques; enzyme assays detect sulfotransferase activity. Reactions involving strong acids or bases require appropriate safety controls.