sulfosalicylic

Sulfosalicylic acid is a chemical compound with the formula C7H6O6S. It is a derivative of salicylic acid where a sulfonic acid group (-SO3H) is substituted onto the benzene ring. This modification significantly alters its properties compared to salicylic acid. It is typically a white crystalline solid.

In its pure form, sulfosalicylic acid is acidic and can react with bases to form salts. It is soluble in water and alcohol. The presence of both the carboxylic acid group and the sulfonic acid group makes it a strong acid.

Sulfosalicylic acid has found applications primarily as a precipitating agent, particularly for proteins. It is used in analytical chemistry and clinical laboratories to determine protein levels in urine and other biological fluids. The principle behind this application is that sulfosalicylic acid denatures proteins, causing them to precipitate out of solution, which can then be quantified. It has also been used in some dermatological preparations, although its use in this area is less common than that of salicylic acid. Due to its acidic nature, care should be taken when handling sulfosalicylic acid to avoid skin or eye irritation.