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Dimethyl Sulfoxide

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    Specialty Chemicals

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Product Profile

1. Chemical Structure and Properties

  • Molecular Formula: C₂H₆OS

  • Structural Formula: (CH₃)₂SO — DMSO is a polar aprotic solvent with a sulfoxide functional group.

Physical Properties:

  • Appearance: Colorless, hygroscopic liquid

  • Boiling Point: 189°C

  • Density: 1.1 g/cm³ at 20°C

  • Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, and most organic solvents

Chemical Properties:

  • Highly polar aprotic solvent

  • Can stabilize anions and participate in nucleophilic substitution reactions

  • Chemically stable under normal conditions but may react with strong oxidizers 


2. Industrial Applications

  • Solvent in Chemical Synthesis: Widely used in pharmaceutical and polymer synthesis due to its excellent solvating properties

  • Cryopreservation: Used to preserve cells, tissues, and organs in biomedical research

  • Electronics Industry: Functions as a cleaning solvent and reagent in manufacturing processes

  • Analytical Chemistry: Utilized as a solvent in NMR spectroscopy and other analytical techniques


3. Safety and Toxicology

  • Health Hazards: May cause skin irritation and enhance absorption of other chemicals through skin

  • Inhalation: Vapors may irritate respiratory tract

  • Protective Measures: Use gloves, goggles, and adequate ventilation; avoid direct skin contact


4. Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

  • Environmental Impact: Biodegradable under aerobic conditions; avoid discharge into waterways in large quantities

  • Regulatory Compliance: Listed on EU REACH and US TSCA inventories; transport as non-hazardous liquid under standard conditions


5. Case Studies and Application Insights

  • Pharmaceutical Synthesis: DMSO serves as a solvent for polar reactants, improving reaction yields and selectivity

  • Cryobiology: Used successfully to preserve stem cells and other biological samples without significant loss of viability