Sulfonate compositions are disclosed. The compositions include alkanesulfonates, alkenesulfonates, sultones, and hydroxy-substituted alkanesulfonates. The sulfonates comprise a reaction product of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with a sulfonating or sulfitating agent. In one aspect, the sulfonate composition is a sulfo-estolide made by reacting a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or octadecene-1,18-dioic acid with a sulfonating agent, optionally in the presence of a saturated fatty acid. The sulfonates are valuable for a wide variety of end uses, including cleaners, fabric treatment, hair conditioning, personal care (liquid cleansing products, conditioning bars, oral care products), paint additives, antimicrobial compositions, agricultural uses, and oil field applications.