|səl(ˌ)fō+...- noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary sulf- + benzoic
: any of three isomeric crystalline acids HO 3 SC 6 H 4 COOH that are sulfonic derivatives of benzoic acid, that are made either from benzoic acid by sulfonation in the case of the meta isomer or from the corresponding toluenesulfonic acid by oxidation in the case of the ortho or para isomer, and that are used in organic synthesis