Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2SO. This colorless liquid is an important polar aprotic solvent that dissolves both polar and nonpolar compounds and is miscible in a wide range of organic solvents as well as water. It has a relatively high boiling point. DMSO has the unusual property that many individuals perceive a garlic-like taste in the mouth after contact with the skin.

In terms of chemical structure, the molecule has idealized Cs symmetry. It has a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry consistent with other three-coordinate S(IV) compounds, with a nonbonded electron pair on the approximately tetrahedral sulfur atom.

Basic information

Dimethyl sulfoxide application

Application 1:

Dimethyl sulfoxide is an extremely important aprotic polar solvent that is soluble in both water and organic solvents. Widely used as solvent and reaction reagent, it has high selective extraction ability. Dimethyl sulfoxide itself has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic and sedative effects, and can be directly used as raw material and carrier of certain drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. Known as the "panacea", it is often added to the drug as an active ingredient of analgesic drugs.

Application 2:  It is used for the extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons, the reaction medium of resins and dyes, the solvent of acrylic fiber polymerization and spinning, etc.

Application 3: It can be used as organic solvent, reaction medium and organic synthesis intermediate. Very versatile. This product has high selective extraction ability, used as polymerization and condensation solvent for acrylic resin and polysulfone resin, polyacrylonitrile and acetate fiber polymerization spinning solvent, extraction solvent for separation of alkanes and aromatics, used for Aromatic hydrocarbons, butadiene extraction, acrylic fiber spinning, plastic solvents and organic synthetic dyes, pharmaceuticals and other industrial reaction medium. In terms of medicine, dimethyl sulfoxide has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and has strong penetration into the skin, so it can dissolve certain drugs, allowing these drugs to penetrate into the human body to achieve therapeutic purposes. Utilizing the carrier properties of dimethyl sulfoxide, it can also be used as a pesticide additive. Adding a small amount of dimethyl sulfoxide to some pesticides can help the pesticides penetrate into the plants to improve the efficacy. Dimethyl sulfoxide can also be used as a dyeing solvent, dye remover, and dyeing carrier for synthetic fibers, as well as an absorbent for recycling acetylene and sulfur dioxide, a synthetic fiber modifier, antifreeze, and capacitor media, brake oil, and rare metal extraction. agent etc.

Application 4:  It is used as analytical reagent and stationary liquid of gas chromatography, and also used as solvent in ultraviolet spectrum analysis. Transdermal accelerator. Dimethyl sulfoxide is one of the earliest transdermal penetration enhancers, and its penetration-enhancing properties may be related to its solvent property. Dimethyl sulfoxide can denature proteins in skin keratinocytes; it can destroy the orderly arrangement of lipids in the stratum corneum; it can remove lipids and lipoproteins in the stratum corneum, and enhance the penetration of drugs. When sulfoxide is used, it will cause erythema, blisters and irreversible damage to the skin, which has been banned in the United States. The commonly used concentration is 30%-50%.

Application 5: Antifreeze. The freezing point of pure dimethyl sulfoxide is 18.45°C, and dimethyl sulfoxide containing 40% water will not freeze at -60°C, and dimethyl sulfoxide will release heat when mixed with water and snow. Therefore, it is convenient to make automobile antifreeze fluid, brake fluid, and hydraulic fluid components. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is not applicable at low temperatures exceeding -40°C, and has a lower boiling point than dimethyl sulfoxide, is poisonous, and is prone to air lock. Dimethyl sulfoxide antifreeze is used in automobiles and tanks in the northern severe cold region, and can be replenished with snow instead of water at any time. Dimethyl sulfoxide is also used in deicing agents, paints, various latex antifreezes, gasoline, aviation fuel antifreezes, bone marrow, blood, and organ cryogenic preservation.