Sulfonic Acid Basics

• Sulfonic -- sometimes spelled “sulphonic” -- acids have the general chemical formula RSO3H; all sulfonic acids contain a -SOC3H radical. This type of acid acts as a chemical catalyst, meaning it encourages chemical reactions without being consumed. Sulfonic acids such as taurine, echinosulfonic acid, methane sulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid occur naturally.
  
  

Cleaning Uses

• Around the house, sulfonic acid -- especially dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid -- commonly appears as an ingredient in laundry detergent. In addition to detergents, sulfonic acid compounds often lend themselves to stripping and cleaning agents such as floor cleaners, hard surface cleaners, metal polishes and grout, tile and bathroom cleaners. Methanesulfonic acid often appears in all-purpose liquid spray cleaners. Sometimes called “green acid,” this type of organic sulfonic acid produces no odors or toxic fumes, contains no nitrogen or halogens and is easily biodegradable.
  
  

Examples

• Cleaning product manufacturers, such as the Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry, the Colgate-Palmolive Company, the Dial Corporation, Johnson Wax Professional, the Stepan Company and Unilever, use sulfonic acid compounds in their cleaners. Common household cleaning products containing various types of sulfonic acids include Alpha HP Multi-Surface Cleaner, Ajax Expert Foaming Cleanser and Crew Super Blue Mild Acid Bowl Cleaner.
  
  

Other Uses

• Sulfonic acid lends itself to many applications outside of cleaners and detergents. This organosulfur compound shows up in water-soluable dyes, pharmaceutical products and ion-exchange resins. Certain types of sulfonic acid act as emulsifiers, stabilizing emulsion in processed foods. Other types, such as methane sulfonic acid, help catalyze the process of esterification, creating flavor compounds for edibles.