By sulfonation is meant the introduction of an —S03H group into a molecule. The operation results in a product which is usually very soluble in water, either in the form of the free sulfonic acid, as is often the case, or in the form of its salts. Of the salts, the inexpensive sodium salt is usually encountered.
Sulfonation is effected: (I) with ordinary concentrated sulfuric acid (66°Вё); (2) with 100 per cent sulfuric acid; (3) with fuming sulfuric acid (oleum), with the concentration of S03 varying from 5 to 70 per cent; (4) with chlorosulfomc acid, with or without diluent; or (5) by “baking” (dry heating) the acid sulfate of an amine, often in vacuum.
Less frequently the sulfonic acid group is introduced indirectly:
(6) by replacing a halogen atom with the sulfonic acid group by means of sodium sulfite; (7) by the action of bisulfite on a nitro compound or on a quinone or quinoneoxime (nitrosophenol); (8) by oxidation of a sulfinic acid, a mercaptan, or a disulfide; and (9) by the introduction of the —CH2S03H group by means of formaldehyde-bisulfite.