Sulfoxidistä

Sulfoxidistä is a Finnish term referring to a sulfoxide group, which is a functional group in organic chemistry. A sulfoxide is a chemical compound with the general formula RSO R', where R and R' are organic substituents, and the sulfur atom is also bonded to an oxygen atom. The sulfur atom in a sulfoxide is in a high oxidation state, typically +4. This functional group is characterized by a polar S=O double bond, which influences the chemical and physical properties of the molecule.

Sulfoxides can be formed through the oxidation of sulfides. Many naturally occurring compounds and pharmaceuticals contain sulfoxide functionalities. A well-known example is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is a widely used solvent. The sulfur atom in a sulfoxide is chiral if the two organic substituents R and R' are different, leading to enantiomers. This chirality can be important in medicinal chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. The reactivity of sulfoxides is diverse, and they can participate in various organic reactions.