Sulfonyl

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The structure of the sulfonyl group
The structure of the sulfonyl group

A sulfonyl group is an organic radical or functional group obtained from a sulfonic acid by the removal of the hydroxyl group. Sulfonyl groups can be written as having the general formula R-S(=O)2-R', where there are two double bonds between the sulfur and oxygen. The names of sulfonyl groups typically end in -syl, such as in tosyl chloride which is p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, CH3C6H4SO2Cl or mesyl chloride which is methylsulfonyl chloride, CH3SO2Cl. Sulfonyl groups can be reduced to the hydrocarbon with lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4).