sulfonic acid
noun
: any of numerous acids that contain the SO3H group and may be derived from sulfuric acid by replacement of a hydroxyl group by either an inorganic anion or a monovalent organic group
Examples of sulfonic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ames, who spent $35,000 of the county’s money on the investigation and sent samples to a lab in Pennsylvania, told residents that the liver of the Colemans’ stillborn calf contained 610,000 parts per trillion of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, one of the many types of forever chemicals.
—
Alejandra Martinez, Austin American-Statesman, 9 Dec. 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized an enforceable 4 parts per trillion (ppt) limit on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024
An entirely different set of compounds—combining unstable sulfonic acids and ammonia and pyruvic acid—produce the pungent flavor and smell.
—Mark Kurlansky, Bon Appétit, 6 Nov. 2023
Advertisement The Environmental Protection Agency plans to begin regulating several types of PFAS chemicals in drinking water and has proposed a strict limit of 4 parts per trillion for the chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2023
Created by a team of dermatologists, the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Dark Spot Serum uses a potent trio of trusted dark spot-fading ingredients (niacinamide, amino-sulfonic acid, and ferulic acid ) that work hard to fade stubborn pigmentation.
—Lisa Desantis, Allure, 24 Jan. 2023
For two of the chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the new advisories update ones issued back in 2016.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 15 June 2022
Two other chemicals, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) have been introduced as partial replacements for the ones listed above.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 15 June 2022
One of these, called PFOS, or perfluorooctane sulfonic acid — found at airports and military sites with histories of fire foam use — tends to build up in fish.
—Shantal Riley, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alejandra Martinez, Austin American-Statesman, 9 Dec. 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized an enforceable 4 parts per trillion (ppt) limit on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024
An entirely different set of compounds—combining unstable sulfonic acids and ammonia and pyruvic acid—produce the pungent flavor and smell.
—Mark Kurlansky, Bon Appétit, 6 Nov. 2023
Advertisement The Environmental Protection Agency plans to begin regulating several types of PFAS chemicals in drinking water and has proposed a strict limit of 4 parts per trillion for the chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2023
Created by a team of dermatologists, the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Dark Spot Serum uses a potent trio of trusted dark spot-fading ingredients (niacinamide, amino-sulfonic acid, and ferulic acid ) that work hard to fade stubborn pigmentation.
—Lisa Desantis, Allure, 24 Jan. 2023
For two of the chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the new advisories update ones issued back in 2016.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 15 June 2022
Two other chemicals, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) have been introduced as partial replacements for the ones listed above.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 15 June 2022
One of these, called PFOS, or perfluorooctane sulfonic acid — found at airports and military sites with histories of fire foam use — tends to build up in fish.
—Shantal Riley, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Sulfonic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfonic%20acid. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share