Szulfátvegyület

Szulfátvegyület is the Hungarian term for a sulfate compound. Sulfate compounds are salts or esters of sulfuric acid. In inorganic chemistry, sulfates are a class of ionic compounds containing the sulfate anion, which has the chemical formula SO₄²⁻. This anion consists of a central sulfur atom covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms. Sulfate compounds are widely distributed in nature. Gypsum, a common mineral, is a hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO₄·2H₂O). Baryte, a dense mineral, is barium sulfate (BaSO₄).

In organic chemistry, sulfates can also refer to organic esters of sulfuric acid. These compounds have the general formula R₂SO₄, where R is an organic group. Dimethyl sulfate ((CH₃)₂SO₄) and diethyl sulfate ((C₂H₅)₂SO₄) are examples of organic sulfates, and they are often used as alkylating agents. Sulfates play essential roles in biological systems, such as in the formation of bone and in metabolic processes. Many industrial processes utilize sulfate compounds, including their use in fertilizers, detergents, and in the production of paper and textiles. The solubility of sulfate compounds in water varies greatly depending on the cation. For instance, alkali metal sulfates are generally very soluble, while those of alkaline earth metals like barium and strontium are often insoluble.