sulfonihapporyhmillä

Sulfonihapporyhmillä, often referred to as sulfonic acid groups, are functional groups with the general formula R-SO2-OH. They are characterized by a sulfur atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH) and an organic substituent (R). These groups are strongly acidic, with pKa values typically in the range of -2 to 0, making them comparable in acidity to sulfuric acid.

The presence of a sulfonihapporyhmä significantly increases the water solubility of an organic molecule due to its polar nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds. This property is widely exploited in various applications, such as the synthesis of detergents, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. In detergents, sulfonates act as surfactants, reducing the surface tension of water and aiding in the removal of grease and dirt. In the dye industry, they impart water solubility and can also be involved in the chemical bonding to textile fibers.

Many important organic compounds contain sulfonihapporyhmillä. For example, benzenesulfonic acid is a fundamental building block for many organic syntheses. Sulfonamides, which are derivatives where the hydroxyl group is replaced by an amine group, form an important class of antibiotics. The sulfonate anion, R-SO2-O-, is a stable and common conjugate base of sulfonic acids.