Generation of organosulfonic acid from its salts

A process for the generation of an alkanesulfonic or aromatic sulfonic acid from its soluble salt of a metal of Group VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, IIB, IB or VA of the periodic table comprising subjecting a solution of said salt in a solvent to:

• a) electrowinning in a cell employing a reactive cathode and an anode, electrogenerating, within an effective current density range, an alkanesulfonic or aromatic sulfonic acid from said salt at said anode and electrolytically producing a metal or metal compound from said salt adjacent or on said cathode, and substantially removing any metal containing precipitate from said solution, wherein the cell is undivided when the soluble salts are of metals of Group VA of the periodic table;
• b) electrolysis in a cell employing a reactive cathode and an anode, electrogenerating an oxidized species at said anode, said oxidized species reacting further to produce a sulfonic acid and a metal containing precipitate, and substantially removing said metal precipitate from the solution, or
• c) a chemical oxidizing agent in an amount sufficient to create an oxidized species which reacts further to produce a sulfonic acid along with a metal containing precipitate, and substantially removing said metal containing precipitate from the solution, or
• d) any combination of a), b) and c).