Electrolytic process for preparing metal sulfonates

A method for preparing metal salts of organic sulfonic acids such as tin alkane sulfonates by electrolysis is described. The method comprises:(A) providing a membraneless electrolytic cell having an upper section and a lower section, and comprising:(i) a metal anode positioned in the lower section of the electrolytic cell, and(ii) a cathode positioned in the upper section of the electrolytic cell,(B) charging to the cell, an aqueous solution of an organic sulfonic acid,(C) passing a current through the cell whereby the metal of the anode dissolves in the sulfonic acid and forms the desired metal sulfonate,(D) accumulating the metal sulfonate in a lower portion of the lower section of the cell, and(E) recovering an aqueous solution of the desired metal sulfonate from the lower portion of the lower section of the cell.