The structure of the sulfonamide group

In chemistry, the sulfonamide functional group (also spelt sulphonamide ) is -S(=O)₂-NH₂, a sulfonyl group connected to an amine group.

A sulfonamide (compound) is a compound that contains this group. The general formula is RSO₂NH₂, where R is some organic group. For example, "methanesulfonamide" is CH₃SO₂NH₂. Any sulfonamide can be considered as derived from a sulfonic acid by replacing a hydroxyl group with an amine group.

In medicine, the term "sulfonamide" is sometimes used as a synonym for sulfa drug, a derivative or variation of sulfanilamide.

[edit] Organic synthesis

Sulfonamides can be prepared in the laboratory in many ways. For example, by the reaction of sulfonyl chlorides with amines in the synthesis of sulfonylmethylamide.^[1] A readily available sulfonyl chloride source is tosyl chloride.^[2]

[edit] See also

• Sulfonamide (medicine)
• Sulfamic acid
• Sulfamide

[edit] References

1. ^ Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 4, p.943 (1963); Vol. 34, p.96 (1954). Online Article
2. ^ Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 5, p.39 (1973); Vol. 48, p.8 (1968). Online Article