sulfone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “sulfone” mean?
A class of organic chemical compounds characterized by a sulfur atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms and single-bonded to two carbon-containing groups.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A class of organic chemical compounds characterized by a sulfur atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms and single-bonded to two carbon-containing groups.
A functional group or compound containing the S(=O)₂ moiety, derived from sulfur dioxide. They are often used in industrial applications as solvents, in pharmaceuticals (e.g., some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs), and in high-performance polymers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling differs: 'sulphone' is the standard British/IUPAC recommended spelling, while 'sulfone' is the standard American spelling. No other lexical or grammatical differences exist.
Connotations
None beyond the standard regional spelling preferences.
Frequency
Equally frequent within technical discourse in their respective regions. Virtually non-existent in general English.
Grammar
How to Use “sulfone” in a Sentence
[adj] + sulfone (e.g., 'cyclic sulfone')sulfone + [noun] (e.g., 'sulfone copolymer')sulfone of [noun] (e.g., 'sulfone of bisphenol A')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sulfone” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sulphone-containing polymer exhibited remarkable stability.
- This is a key sulphone intermediate.
American English
- The sulfone-containing polymer exhibited remarkable stability.
- This is a key sulfone intermediate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in reports of chemical, pharmaceutical, or advanced materials companies (e.g., 'Our new sulfone-based membrane technology...').
Academic
Common in chemistry, pharmacology, polymer science, and chemical engineering journals and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would not be used or understood by non-specialists.
Technical
The primary register. Used precisely to describe a specific chemical structure or class of materials.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sulfone”
- Misspelling as 'sulphone' (archaic) or confusing with 'sulfonate' (a different sulfur-oxygen anion).
- Incorrect pronunciation placing stress on the second syllable (e.g., /sʌlˈfəʊn/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A sulfone (R-SO₂-R') is a neutral organic compound. A sulfonate (R-SO₃⁻) is an anion or salt containing the sulfonate ion, often used in detergents.
No, 'sulfone' is exclusively a noun (and can function attributively as an adjective, e.g., 'sulfone polymer'). There is no standard verb form.
British English uses 'sulphone' (with a 'ph'), while American English uses 'sulfone' (with an 'f'). This follows the general pattern for sulfur/sulphur derivatives.
As a class, they have varying properties. Some are benign solvents, while others are potent pharmaceuticals or reactive chemical intermediates. Safety depends entirely on the specific compound and must be assessed with appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
A class of organic chemical compounds characterized by a sulfur atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms and single-bonded to two carbon-containing groups.
Sulfone is usually technical/scientific in register.
Sulfone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌlfəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌlfoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sulf-' from sulfur and '-one' suggesting a ketone-like structure (C=O), but here it's S=O. "SULfur with a double bONE structure."
Conceptual Metaphor
None in common use. In technical explanation, it can be described metaphorically as a 'bridge' or 'link' between organic groups, with the sulfur atom as a central hub bonded to two oxygen 'wings'.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'sulfone' MOST commonly used?