Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
sulfonation
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
steps in the manufacture of synthetic detergents
Quick Facts
Also spelled:
Sulphonation
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

sulfonation

chemical reaction
Also known as: sulphonation
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

sulfonation, in chemistry, any of several methods by which sulfonic acids are prepared. Important sulfonation procedures include the reaction of aromatic hydrocarbons with sulfuric acid, sulfur trioxide, or chlorosulfuric acid; the reaction of organic halogen compounds with inorganic sulfites; and the oxidation of certain classes of organic sulfur compounds, particularly thiols or disulfides.