Sulfonium

Sulfonium compounds are a group of organic chemical compounds which contain a positively charged sulfur atom with three substituents. Their general structure is R1R2R3S , where R1, R2 and R3 is alkyl or aryl radicals. Their structure is pyramidal.

Representation

Sulfonium salts can be derived from thioethers by alkylation, eg, halogen alkanes produced in nonpolar solvents and isolated in substance.

Properties

Sulfonium salts are usually crystalline solids, which are stable in the absence of water. They are strong alkylating agent.

Occurrence

In nature they usually occur only as unstable intermediates. A biochemically relevant example is the methyl group transfer agent S- adenosylmethionine.

• Substance Group
• Organosulfur compound