monosulfonic

Monosulfonic refers to a chemical compound or functional group containing a single sulfonic acid group. A sulfonic acid group has the general formula R-SO3H, where R is an organic substituent. These compounds are characterized by a sulfur atom bonded to three oxygen atoms and one hydrogen atom, with the sulfur atom also attached to an organic radical.

Sulfonic acids are strong acids, often more acidic than their corresponding carboxylic acid counterparts. They are typically soluble in water and organic solvents. The presence of the sulfonic acid group imparts polarity and can significantly influence the properties of the molecule it is attached to, such as solubility and reactivity.

Monosulfonated compounds find applications in various fields. They can be used as intermediates in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and detergents. For example, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid is a common surfactant used in laundry detergents. In organic chemistry, they can act as catalysts due to their acidic nature. The stability of the sulfonyl group also makes them useful in protecting groups during complex syntheses. The term monosulfonic specifically distinguishes these compounds from those containing multiple sulfonic acid groups, which would be referred to as disulfonic, trisulfonic, or polysulfonic acids.