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Methanesulfonic acid

Methanesulfonic acid
Structural formula
Ball-and-stick model
Names
IUPAC name
Methanesulfonic acid
Other names
Methylsulfonic acid, MSA
Identifiers
3D model (Jmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.817
EC Number 200-898-6
PubChem CID
UNII
Properties
CH4O3S
Molar mass 96.10 g·mol−1
Appearance Clear liquid
Density 1.48 g/cm3
Melting point 17 to 19 °C (63 to 66 °F; 290 to 292 K)
Boiling point 167 °C (333 °F; 440 K) at 10 mmHg, 122 °C/1 mmHg
miscible
Solubility Miscible with methanol, diethyl ether.
Immiscible with hexane
log P -2.424
Acidity (pKa) −1.9
Hazards
Safety data sheet Oxford MSDS
Harmful (Xn), Corrosive (C)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
YesY  (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Methanesulfonic acid (MsOH) is a colorless liquid with the chemical formula CH3SO3H. It is the simplest of the alkylsulfonic acids. Salts and esters of methanesulfonic acid are known as mesylates (or methanesulfonates, as in ethyl methanesulfonate). It is hygroscopic in its concentrated form. Methanesulfonic acid may be considered an intermediate compound between sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and methylsulfonylmethane ((CH3)2SO2), effectively replacing an –OH group with a –CH3 group at each step. This pattern can extend no further in either direction without breaking down the –SO2– group. Methanesulfonic acid can dissolve a wide range of metal salts, many of them in significantly higher concentrations than in hydrochloric or sulphuric acid.

Methanesulfonic acid is used as an acid catalyst in organic reactions because it is a non-volatile, strong acid that is soluble in organic solvents. Methanesulfonic acid is convenient for industrial applications because it is liquid at ambient temperature, while the closely related p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) is solid. However, in a laboratory setting, solid PTSA is more convenient.

Methanesulfonic acid can be used in the generation of borane (BH3) by reacting methanesulfonic acid with NaBH4 in an aprotic solvent such as THF or DMS, the complex of BH3 and the solvent is formed.

Methanesulfonic acid is considered a particularly suitable supporting electrolyte for electrochemical applications, where it stands as an environmentally friendly alternative to other acid electrolytes used in plating processes. Methanesulfonic acid is also the electrolyte of choice in zinc-cerium (see cerium(III) methanesulfonate) and lead-acid (methanesulfonate) flow batteries.


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