Benzenesulfonic acid

Benzenesulfonic acid[1]
Skeletal formula of benzenesulfonic acid
Ball-and-stick model of the benzenesulfonic acid molecule
Names
Other names
Benzene sulphonic acid; Benzenesulphonic acid; Phenylsulfonic acid; Phenylsuphonic acid
Identifiers
98-11-3 YesY
ChemSpider 7093 YesY
Jmol 3D model Interactive image
UNII 685928Z18A YesY
Properties
C6H6O3S
Molar mass 158.17 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless crystalline solid
Density 1.32 g/cm3 (47 °C)
Melting point * 44 °C (hydrate)
  • 51 °C (anhydrous)
Boiling point 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K)
Soluble
Solubility in other solvents Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in non-polar solvents
Acidity (pKa) −2.8[2]
Hazards
Main hazards Corrosive
Safety data sheet External MSDS
R-phrases R20 R22 R34 R36 R37 R38
S-phrases S26 S36/37/39 S45
Flash point > 113 °C
Related compounds
Related sulfonic acids
Sulfanilic acid
p-Toluenesulfonic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Benzenesulfonic acid is an organosulfur compound with the formula C6H5SO3H. It is the simplest aromatic sulfonic acid. It forms white deliquescent sheet crystals or a white waxy solid that is soluble in water and ethanol, slightly soluble in benzene and insoluble in nonpolar solvents like diethyl ether. It is often stored in the form of alkali metal salts. Its aqueous solution is strongly acidic.

Preparation

Benzenesulfonic acid is prepared from the sulfonation of benzene using concentrated sulfuric acid:

This conversion illustrates aromatic sulfonation, which has been called "one of the most important reactions in industrial organic chemistry."[3]

Reactions

Benzenesulfonic acid exhibits the reactions typical of other aromatic sulfonic acids, forming sulfonamides, sulfonyl chloride, and esters. The sulfonation is reversed above 220 °C. Dehydration with phosphorus pentoxide gives benzenesulfonic acid anhydride ((C6H5SO2)2O). Conversion to the corresponding benzenesulfonyl chloride (C6H5SO2Cl) is effected with phosphorus pentachloride.

It is a strong acid, being dissociated in water.

Applications

Benzenesulfonic acid is mainly consumed by conversion to other specialty chemicals.

A variety of pharmaceutical drugs are prepared as salts of benzenesulfonic acid and are known as besylates or besilates.

The alkali metal salt of benzenesulfonic acid was once widely used in the production of phenol:

C6H5SO3Na + 2 NaOH → C6H5ONa + Na2SO3
C6H5ONa + HCl → C6H5OH + NaCl

The process has been largely displaced by the Hock process, which generates less waste.

References

  1. Benzenesulfonic acid, Sigma-Aldrich
  2. Guthrie, J. P. Hydrolysis of esters of oxy acids: pKa values for strong acids Can. J. Chem. 1978, 56, 2342-2354. doi:10.1139/v78-385
  3. Otto Lindner, Lars Rodefeld "Benzenesulfonic Acids and Their Derivatives" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a03_507
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