sulfanilyl group: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Highly TechnicalTechnical/Scientific (Chemistry, Pharmacology)
Quick answer
What does “sulfanilyl group” mean?
The chemical functional group –SO₂–C₆H₄–NH₂, derived from sulfanilic acid.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The chemical functional group –SO₂–C₆H₄–NH₂, derived from sulfanilic acid; a key component in sulfonamide antibiotics.
In organic and medicinal chemistry, the sulfanilyl group serves as the structural backbone of sulfa drugs (sulfonamides), which function as antibacterial agents by inhibiting bacterial folate synthesis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference. Spelling follows regional norms: 'sulphonamide' (UK) vs. 'sulfonamide' (US), but 'sulfanilyl' is standard in IUPAC nomenclature.
Connotations
Purely technical with strong historical connotations linked to the discovery of the first broadly effective antibacterial drugs in the 1930s.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency outside specialized chemistry/pharmacology texts. More common in historical contexts discussing the development of sulfa drugs.
Grammar
How to Use “sulfanilyl group” in a Sentence
The [compound] contains a sulfanilyl group.The sulfanilyl group is essential for [activity].[Modification] of the sulfanilyl group alters [properties].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sulfanilyl group” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sulfanilyl-containing compound showed potent activity.
- The sulfanilyl moiety was characterised by NMR.
American English
- The sulfanilyl-containing compound showed potent activity.
- The sulfanilyl moiety was characterized by NMR.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in chemistry and pharmacology research papers, textbooks, and historical reviews of chemotherapy.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Central term for describing the core structure of sulfonamide antibacterial agents in medicinal chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sulfanilyl group”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sulfanilyl group”
- Misspelling as 'sulfanilyl' or 'sulfanyl'.
- Confusing it with the broader term 'sulfonamide'.
- Using it in non-chemical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A sulfonamide is a general class of compounds containing the -SO₂NH₂ group. The sulfanilyl group is a specific type of sulfonamide that also has a para-aminophenyl ring (-C₆H₄–NH₂), making it the core structure of medicinal sulfa drugs.
It represents the essential structure of sulfa drugs, which were the first effective, systemically active antibacterial medications. Their discovery and use in the 1930s marked the beginning of the modern era of antibiotic chemotherapy.
Almost exclusively in advanced chemistry or pharmacology courses, historical medical texts, and research literature on antibiotic drug design and mechanism of action.
It is pronounced with the primary stress on 'nil': sul-fa-NIL-yl (/ˌsʌlfəˈnɪlɪl/). The 'sul' is like 'sulfa', and the 'yl' is pronounced like 'ill'.
The chemical functional group –SO₂–C₆H₄–NH₂, derived from sulfanilic acid.
Sulfanilyl group is usually technical/scientific (chemistry, pharmacology) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SULFa-drug + ANIline + -YL group = SULFANILYL. It's the 'sulfa' part that fights bacteria.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARCHITECTURAL/BUILDING BLOCK: The sulfanilyl group is the foundational scaffold or chassis upon which different modifications are built to create various sulfa drugs.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary significance of the sulfanilyl group?