Uses
Sodium p-toluenesulfinate Hydrate is used in organic chemical reactions as an alkylating agent, non-oxidizing catalyst, intermediate for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. of grades are available including Mil Spec (military grade), ACS, Reagent and Technical Grade, Food, Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Grade, Optical Grade, USP and EP/BP (European Pharmacopoeia/British Pharmacopoeia).
Synthesis
The aryl sulfonyl chloride (10.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in 30 mL water. Sodium sulfite (16.0 mmol, 1.6 equiv) and sodium bicarbonate (16.0 mmol, 1.6 equiv) were added, and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 3 h. The water was evaporated, and ethanol was added to the residue. The suspension was heated for 10 min, cooled, and filtered through a 20 μm polyethylene frit. This was repeated twice with the residue from the filtration. The ethanol fractions were combined, and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum, The sodium arylsulfinates were isolated as white powders.