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Dimethyl Sulfoxide: A Widely Used Polar Aprotic Solvent

Dec 27，2023

Dimethyl sulfoxide is a colorless liquid derived as a by-product from wood pulp in the production of paper. This colorless liquid found immediate application as a polar, aprotic solvent miscible with water and able to dissolve an enormous catalog of polar and nonpolar small molecules.

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Polarity of DMSO

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a polar aprotic solvent that can dissolve a wide range of organic compounds.

Because Sulfur and Oxygen on this structure are very electronegative and have a greater electron affinity, the electrons will be pulled towards the S and Oxygen side of the molecule, creating a partial negative charge on the top of the molecule and a partial positive charge on the bottom of the molecule. Such polarity on dimethyl sulfoxide makes it an excellent solvent for polar and ionic molecules.

DMSO as a Solvent

DMSO has been generally used as a commercial solvent in pharma industry for more than six decades. Multiple specific chemical reactions are more effective if done in DMSO solution, which results in higher product yield. The powerful soluble properties of the compound allow preparing highly concentrated components in agrochemical formulations.

High boiling point allows DMSO to have a slow evaporation speed. This property makes it convenient to use the compound as a solvent in the chemical reactions that require heating. The high freezing point (around 18 degrees Celsius), on the other hand, can limit its applications in a number of chemical processes, although it means that DMSO can be stored at room temperature without any problem.

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