The Sulfate Ion (DB14546): A Comprehensive Monograph on its Physicochemical, Biological, Pharmacological, and Environmental Significance

Executive Summary

The sulfate ion (DrugBank ID: DB14546, CAS: 14808-79-8), a simple divalent anion, represents a molecule of profound and multifaceted significance. While it possesses direct pharmacological activity as a medication, specifically as an osmotic laxative, this application constitutes only a narrow facet of its overall importance. This report provides a comprehensive, multi-domain analysis of the sulfate ion, revealing its identity as a fundamental biological component, a critical tool in pharmaceutical sciences, a versatile industrial chemical, and a major environmental agent. Biologically, sulfate is the fourth most abundant anion in human plasma, essential for detoxification, metabolic regulation, and the structural integrity of tissues. Its role in the sulfonation of hormones, neurotransmitters, and xenobiotics is a cornerstone of human physiology, and its availability is critical for proper fetal development. In pharmacology, beyond its use as a laxative, sulfate's primary contribution is as a counter-ion. By forming salts with basic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), it enhances their solubility, stability, and bioavailability, making many essential drugs—from antibiotics to opioids—viable for clinical use. Industrially, sulfate compounds are cornerstones of agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. Environmentally, sulfate presents a complex paradox: it is the principal agent of acid rain, causing widespread ecological damage, yet as an atmospheric aerosol, it exerts a significant cooling effect on the global climate. This report synthesizes these disparate roles, demonstrating that the function and impact of the sulfate ion are entirely defined by its chemical, biological, and environmental context. Understanding this context is essential for clinicians, scientists, and policymakers ali