Sulphinic

Sulphinic refers to a functional group or a compound containing the sulphenate anion. The sulphenate anion, with the chemical formula R-S=O, is an organosulfur compound. It is characterized by a sulfur atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to two other atoms or groups, typically one carbon atom and one additional atom. Sulphinic acids have the general formula RSO2H. In these compounds, the sulfur atom is bonded to two oxygen atoms, one hydrogen atom, and one organic group. They are intermediates in the oxidation of thiols and disulfides, and in the reduction of sulfonic acids.

Sulphinic acids are generally less stable than their corresponding sulfonic acids. They are often prepared by the reduction of sulfonyl chlorides or sulfonic acids. A notable example of a sulphenate derivative is ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which contains a cyclic enediol structure with a sulfinate ester functionality. Sulphenate compounds play roles in biological processes and are used in various chemical syntheses. The reactivity of sulphenates is influenced by the nature of the organic group attached to the sulfur atom. Their chemical behavior can involve nucleophilic attack at the sulfur atom or reactions involving the oxygen atom.