Sulfonyl Chemicals

Overview

VARSAL’s sulfonyl chemical products are supplied through Varsal ISO-, GMP-, and ChemStewards®-compliant facilities.

We also support additional sulfonyl chemical requirements upon request. Please contact us with specific inquiries.

Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA)

As a solvent, and a catalyst of alkylation, esterification and polymerization. MSA is also used to generate mesylate salts of APIs.

Varsal’s MSA process is clean with no methyl mercaptan odor, and our process conditions do not typically allow formation of methyl esters. It is approved for use in all major tin-lead applications, and low oxidizables and chlorides ensure long life, stable solder deposits. Varsal’s clean process promotes “Green Chemistry” with less environmental impact from sludge. It also provides superior throwing power to allow high-speed tin-lead alloy plating in reel-to-reel operations.

We offer a variety of different grades, and can customize to your specific technical requirements.

Methanesulfonic Anhydride (MSAA)

Used as a reagent for various purposes, including to generate mesylates (methanesulfonyl esters) in aromatic alkylation reactions. It can be reacted with DMSO to obtain sulfoxonium complexes, which are useful oxidizing agents.

Varsal’s MSAA has extremely high purity with low residual impurities, leading to maximal yield and product quality for Varsal’s customers. Varsal has extensive expertise in logistics and packaging considerations when handling corrosive and moisture-sensitive products.

Trifluoromethanesulfonic ACID (Triflic ACID)

As a catalyst of alkylation, esterification and polymerization.

Varsal’s triflic acid is made through a very clean manufacturing process and has extremely high purity with low residual impurities, leading to maximal yield and product quality for Varsal’s customers. Varsal has extensive expertise in logistics and packaging considerations when handling corrosive products.

Trifluoromethanesulfonic ANHYDRIDE (Triflic ANHYDRIDE)

Used as a reagent for converting hydroxy groups to excellent triflate leaving groups, and ketones into enol triflates.

Varsal’s triflic anhydride is made through a very clean manufacturing process and has extremely high purity with low residual impurities, leading to maximal yield and product quality for Varsal’s customers. Varsal has extensive expertise in logistics and packaging considerations when handling corrosive products.

Tin Methanesulfonate (Sn-MSA)

Used as an electrolyte in metal-finishing, primarily as a replacement for tin sulfate where high speed, reel-to-reel deposits are needed.

Varsal offers both regular and low acid Sn-MSA at 300 g/L. Varsal also offers Sn-MSA at 400 g/L concentration. Varsal can custom manufacture low Pb or Pb-free Sn-MSA, and vary the free acid content of sulfonate solutions for specific plating tank requirements. Varsal can control the Pb and Fe specification, as well as the “Low Alpha” lead for sensitive electronic semiconductor applications.

Lead Methanesulfonate (Pb-MSA)

Electrolyte in metal-finishing.

Varsal offers Pb-MSA at concentrations ranging from 300 g/L to 500 g/L, and can customize to your specific technical requirements.

Other Methanesulfonate Salts (MSA-Salts)

Typical products include Cu(II) Methane Sulfonate Solution (CAS# 54253-62-2), Silver Methane Sulfonate Solution (CAS# 2386-52-9), Ni(II) Methane Sulfonate Solution (CAS# 55136-38-4), and Bi(III) Methane Sulfonate Solution (CAS# 82617-81-0).

Electrolyte in metal-finishing; Silver methane sulfonate solution is used for high heat automotive applications.

Varsal custom manufactures other MSA salts per customer request. Some of the typical ones are listed in the Grades Offered section. For other inquiries, please contact us to learn more!

Methanesulfonyl Chloride (MSC)

Used as a building block for agricultural and pharmaceutical chemicals. MSC dissolves in polar organic solvents but is reactive toward water, alcohols, and many amines. The simplest organic sulfonyl chloride, it is used to make methanesulfonates and to synthesize sulfene.

Varsal’s MSC is made from the chlorination of DMDS. The manufacturing process is clean, with no methyl mercaptan odor and no detectable impurities of methyl methane thiosulfonate. In formulations, it is both harmless to humans and has impurity cleansing capabilities. Thus, MSC is ideal for pharmaceutical, flavors and fragrance, and other applications where these characteristics are important.

Varsal has extensive expertise in logistics, packaging and storage considerations when handling corrosive, toxic and inhalation hazard products.

Methanesulfonamide (MSAM)

Used as a pharmaceutical intermediate.

Varsal’s MSAM is made through a very clean manufacturing process and has extremely high purity with low residual impurities, leading to maximal yield and product quality for Varsal’s customers.

DIMETHYL DISULFIDE (DMDS)

DMDS is the simplest disulfide and used in a variety of applications. Representative uses are below:

  • As a sulfiding agent in the refinery process
  • For the protection of steam cracking coils against the formation of coke in petrochemical facilities
  • Blended with thiophene to impart gassy odor for petrochemical plant safety
  • As a soil fumigant in agriculture
  • As a food additive to substitute 2-methylfuran acrolein

 

Advantages of DMDS versus other sulfiding agents include high sulfur content, lower toxicity, lowest total cost, low decomposition temperature, and two-step decomposition.

Varsal’s DMDS is made from dimethyl sulfate, and this route is cleaner than the competing, highly dangerous and volatile methyl mercaptan process. Varsal’s DMDS is a purer product than other products in the market, which are more suitable as sulfiding agents in petrochemical cracker management.

4-Octylbenzenesulfonic acid (OBSA)

OBSA has a variety of uses, including as a wetting and hydrophobizing agent, as a dispersing agent, and for solubilizer, cleaner, detergent applications.

Varsal’s OBSA is made through a very clean manufacturing process and has extremely high purity with low residual impurities, leading to maximal yield and product quality for Varsal’s customers.

Varsal custom-manufactures OBSA salts such as sodium 4-octylbezenesulfonate (NaOBS; CAS# 6149-03-7) per customer request.

PROPANESULFONYL CHLORIDE (PSC)

PSC has a variety of uses, including in the synthesis of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium alkanesulfonate ionic liquids.

Varsal’s PSC is made through a very clean manufacturing process and has extremely high purity with low residual impurities, leading to maximal yield and product quality for Varsal’s customers.

Chlorosulfuric acid (CSA)

CSA has a variety of uses, including in organic synthesis as a sulfating, sulfonating or chlorosulfonating agent. It is preferred in many applications because it is a strong agent that is less destructive than sulfur trioxide.

Varsal’s CSA is made through a very clean manufacturing process and has extremely high purity with low residual impurities, leading to maximal yield and product quality for Varsal’s customers.

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Varsal provides specialty chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, and custom manufacturing solutions to customers across regulated and specialty industries. Use the form below to request pricing or discuss project-specific requirements.

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