väävelhapnikurühm

Väävelhapnikurühm, often referred to as the sulfuryl group, is a functional group in organic chemistry with the general formula SO2X2. Here, X typically represents halogens such as chlorine or bromine, but can also be other electronegative atoms. The most common and widely studied derivative is sulfuryl chloride, SO2Cl2. This group is characterized by a central sulfur atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms and single-bonded to two other atoms, typically halogens. The sulfur atom in the väävelhapnikurühm is in its highest common oxidation state, +6.

Compounds containing the väävelhapnikurühm are generally reactive and serve as useful reagents in organic synthesis. Sulfuryl chloride, for instance, is a versatile chlorinating and sulfonating agent. It can be used to introduce chlorine atoms into organic molecules, often under free-radical conditions, or to convert alcohols into alkyl chlorides. It also finds application in the preparation of sulfonates and sulfonyl halides. The reactivity of the väävelhapnikurühm stems from the electron-withdrawing nature of the oxygen and halogen atoms, which polarizes the S-X bonds and makes the sulfur atom susceptible to nucleophilic attack. Due to their reactivity, these compounds are often handled with care, as they can be corrosive and release toxic fumes upon decomposition. The term "väävelhapnikurühm" itself is a direct Estonian translation referring to sulfur (väävel), oxygen (hapnik), and group (rühm).