Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a sulfur-containing organic compound with the molecular formula C₂H₆OS. At room temperature, it appears as a colorless, odorless transparent liquid and is a hygroscopic flammable liquid. It exhibits high polarity, high boiling point, good thermal stability, is aprotic, and is miscible with water. It can dissolve in most organic solvents such as ethanol, propanol, and benzene. It serves as an organic solvent, reaction medium, and intermediate in organic synthesis. It is also used as a dye solvent, dye stripper, and dye carrier in synthetic fibers, as well as an absorbent for acetylene and sulfur dioxide recovery.
Foreign name: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Alias: Methyl sulfoxide
Chemical formula: C₂H₆OS
Molecular weight: 78.13
CAS registry number: 67-68-5
EINECS registry number: 200-664-3
Melting point: 18.4 °C
Water solubility: Soluble
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Flash point: 95 °C
Application: Stable solvent for organic polymer synthesis
Widely used as a solvent and reaction reagent, particularly as a processing solvent and spinning solvent in acrylonitrile polymerization, as a solvent in polyurethane synthesis and spinning, as a synthesis solvent for polyamide, polyimide, and polysulfone resins, as well as an extraction solvent for aromatics and butadiene, and a solvent for chlorinated aniline synthesis.
DMSO has a wide range of applications. It is used as a solvent for acetylene, aromatics, sulfur dioxide, and other gases, as well as a spinning solvent for acrylic fibers. It is an extremely important aprotic polar solvent that is soluble in both water and organic solvents. It has strong skin permeability, aiding in the penetration of drugs into the human body. It can also serve as an additive in pesticides and is a highly important chemical reagent.