Arsonic acid (functional group)

The general chemical structure of arsonic acids

Arsonic acids are a subset of organoarsenic compounds defined as oxyacids where a pentavalent arsenic atom is bonded to two hydroxyl groups, a third oxygen atom (this one with a double bond), and an organic substituent. The salts/conjugate bases of arsonic acids are called arsonates. Like all arsenic-containing compounds, arsonic acids are toxic and carcinogenic to humans.[1][2]

Arsonic acid refers to H3AsO3, the case where the substituent is a single hydrogen atom. The other arsonic acids can simply be viewed as hydrocarbyl derivatives of this base case. Arsenic acid results when the substituent is a hydroxyl group. Methylarsonic acid results when the substituent is a methyl group. Phenylarsonic acid results when the substituent is a phenyl group.

  1. ^ Aronson, Jeffrey K. (2009). Meyler's Side Effects of Antimicrobial Drugs. Elsevier. p. 834. ISBN 9780080932934. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  2. ^ Styblo, M.; Del Razo, L. M.; Vega, L.; Germolec, D. R.; LeCluyse, E. L.; Hamilton, G. A.; Reed, W.; Wang, C.; Cullen, W. R.; Thomas, D. J. (2000). "Comparative toxicity of trivalent and pentavalent inorganic and methylated arsenicals in rat and human cells". Archives of Toxicology. 74 (6): 289–299. doi:10.1007/s002040000134. PMID 11005674. S2CID 1025140.