Organosulfates are a class of
organic compounds sharing a common
functional group commonly with the structure R-O-SO
3-. The SO
4 core is a
sulfate group and the R group is any organic residue. All organosulfates are formally
esters derived from
alcohols and
sulfuric acid, although many are not prepared in this way. Many sulfate esters are used in detergents, and some are useful
reagents. Alkyl sulfates consist of a
hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain, a polar
sulfate group (containing an anion) and either a cation or
amine to neutralize the sulfate group. Examples include:
sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sulfuric acid mono dodecyl ester sodium salt) and related potassium and ammonium salts.