sulfonated; sulfonating
: to introduce the SO3H group into
broadly
: to treat (an organic substance) with sulfuric acid
Examples of sulfonate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Iman Balagam, Allure, 27 Mar. 2023
Some common chemical names to look out for include linear alkylate sulfonate or any other variety with sulfate or sulfonate in their name and enzymes like amylase, lipase and protease.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 11 Oct. 2022
The tests showed that the foam contained perfluorooctane sulfonate, also known as PFOS, and three other compounds.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 30 July 2021
Since the early 2000s, chemical companies have agreed to phase out two common forms of the chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOA and PFOS.
—Kris Maher, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2020
The chemicals found – perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid – are in firefighting foam and implicated in some types of cancer and thyroid effects, school officials said, pointing to several scientific studies.
—Martin E. Comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, 3 July 2018
The police department determined that the chemical was a sulfonate solution that originated from the Calumet-Penreco plant upstream.
—Nick Powell, Houston Chronicle, 22 Jan. 2018
Alabama contaminants The main contaminants in Alabama are: Mercury
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Perfluoralkyl sulfonate (PFOS
What is mercury?
—Leada Gore, AL.com, 11 July 2017
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Noun
While many shampoos contain sulfates, foaming agents that remove buildup but can dry out the hair and scalp, Vegamour relies on sulfate alternatives such as sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and lauramidopropyl betaine to sweep away buildup and dirt.
—Iman Balagam, Allure, 27 Mar. 2023
Some common chemical names to look out for include linear alkylate sulfonate or any other variety with sulfate or sulfonate in their name and enzymes like amylase, lipase and protease.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 11 Oct. 2022
The tests showed that the foam contained perfluorooctane sulfonate, also known as PFOS, and three other compounds.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 30 July 2021
Since the early 2000s, chemical companies have agreed to phase out two common forms of the chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOA and PFOS.
—Kris Maher, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2020
The chemicals found – perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid – are in firefighting foam and implicated in some types of cancer and thyroid effects, school officials said, pointing to several scientific studies.
—Martin E. Comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, 3 July 2018
The police department determined that the chemical was a sulfonate solution that originated from the Calumet-Penreco plant upstream.
—Nick Powell, Houston Chronicle, 22 Jan. 2018
Alabama contaminants The main contaminants in Alabama are: Mercury
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Perfluoralkyl sulfonate (PFOS
What is mercury?
—Leada Gore, AL.com, 11 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Sulfonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfonate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sulfonate
1 of 2 noun
sul·fo·nate
variants
or chiefly British sulphonate
: a salt or ester of a sulfonic acid
sulfonate
2 of 2 transitive verb
variants
or chiefly British sulphonate
sulfonated or chiefly British sulphonated; sulfonating or chiefly British sulphonating
: to introduce the SO3H group into
broadly
: to treat (an organic substance) with sulfuric acid
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