What is DMSO - Dimethyl Sulfoxide?
DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH₃)₂SO. It is a colorless liquid and is a powerful solvent. It dissolves both polar and non-polar compounds. This property makes the DMSO miscible in a wide range of organic solvents as well as water.
DMSO is a potent solvent because of its highly polar nature. DMSO works with ionic compounds, certain salts, and non-ionic compounds. There are some limitations to its use when used with non-polar compounds.
Use DMSO when your application calls for a polar, aprotic solvent that's easily able to dissolve many substances that have extremely poor solubility in water.
As a leading supplier of high-purity solvents, we offer the right product for your application no matter which dimethyl sulfoxide compound or grade (including ASC and HPLC) you need.
DMSO - Dimethyl Sulfoxide Industrial Identification
Chart listing the various names, identifiers and synonyms of dimethyl sulfoxide.
| ID Type |
Identification |
|---|
| Synonyms |
Dimethyl Sulphoxide, Methylsulfinylmethane, Methanesulfinylmethane, Methyl sulfoxide, Dimethyl(oxido)sulfur |
| Beilstein Registry |
506008 |
| EG/EC Number |
2006643 |
| MDL Number |
MFCD00002089 |
| CAS Number |
67-68-5 |
| RIDADR / UN Number |
NA 1993 / PGIII
|
| NSC Number |
760436 |
| ICSC Number |
0459
|
| RTECS Number |
85232 |
DMSO Physical and Chemical Properties
Chart including the physical and chemical properties of DMSO. (Sources: Merck Index, Pubchem)
| Property |
Value |
|---|
| Molecular Weight (mw) |
78.13 |
| Density |
1.100 g/mL at 25 ºC |
Boiling Point/Freezing Point
|
189 ºC |
| Melting Point |
16-19 ºC |
| Flash Point |
85.0 °C |
| Viscosity (cP) |
1.987 at 25 °C |
| Dielectric Constant |
47.24 at 20 ºC |
| Dipole Moment |
3.960 |
| UV cutoff |
265 nm |
| Refractive Index |
1.479 at 20 ºC |
| Vapor Density |
2.7 (vs. air) |
| Vapor Pressure |
0.42 mmHg at 20 ° C |
| Water Solubility |
12.80 M
|
| Heat of Combustion |
-10,890 Btu/lb = -6050 Cal/g
|
| Heat of Vaporization |
47.3 kJ/mol at 70 ºC
|
| Dissociation Constants |
pKa = 35.1
|
DMSO Miscibility and Immiscibility
| Property |
Chemical |
|---|
| Miscible with |
Acetic Acid, Acetone, Acetonitrile, Benzene, Butanol, Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), Butyl Acetate (n-), Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), Carbon Tetrachloride, Chloroform, Dichloroethane (1, 2), Dichloromethane, Diisopropyl ether, Dimethylformamide, Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), Dioxane, Ethanol, Ethyl Acetate, Methanol, 1-Propanol, Isopropanol, Tetrahydrofuran (THF), Toluene, Trichloroethylene, Water |
| Immiscible with |
Cyclohexane, Diethyl ether, Heptane, Hexane, Pentane, Isooctane, Xylene |
| Miscibility Information and Solvent Miscibility Table |
Download Dimethyl Sulfoxide Miscibility Table
DMSO Compatability
The compatability of DMSO with various materials is listed in the table below.
| Compatability |
With Materials |
|---|
| Compatible |
LDPE, HDPE, polypropylene, PPCO (polypropylene copolymer), polymethylpentene, nylon, teflon FEP |
| Moderately compatible |
polystyrene, ECTFE/ETFE |
| Incompatible |
polysulfone, flexible and rigid PVC tubing, polycarbonate |
DMSO Hazard Statements
| Hazard Statements |
H227 |
| Signal Word |
Warning |
| Precautionary Statements |
P210-P280-P370 + P378-P403 + P235-P501
|
GHS Information
| GHS Pictogram |
Statement |
 |
Flammable liquids, category 4
|
DMSO SDS Information
An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is available for each DMSO product. Start your search for an SDS.
What is DMSO Used For?
DMSO is used as:
- Reagent in organic synthesis.
- Industrial solvent.
- Antifreeze or hydraulic fluid when mixed with water.
- Cryopreserve and store cultured cells.
Some examples of these common uses are:
As a solvent in the Pfitzner-Moffatt oxidation reaction, moderate oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols are promoted by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide activation of dimethyl sulfoxide.
In the Swern oxidation reaction, moderate oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols is promoted by oxalyl chloride activation of dimethyl sulfoxide. Evidently involving the dimethyl alkoxysulfonium salts.
DMSO Precautions and Disclaimer
This product is for R&D use only, not for drug, household, or other uses. Please, consult the Safety Data Sheet for hazards information and safe handling practices.
DMSO Preparation Instructions
This product is miscible in water (1 ml DMSO + 1 ml H2O), yielding a clear, colorless solution. DMSO is a very hygroscopic liquid; should be protected from exposure to moisture.
DMSO is also soluble in ethanol, acetone, ether, benzene, and chloroform. More miscibility information is provided above and via the Miscibility/Immiscibility Table.
DMSO Storage/Stability
Store at room temperature.
The product may arrive as a solid instead of a liquid. But, it can be liquified warming to room temperature without detriment the product
DMSO is stable up to 100 °C in alkaline, acidic, and neutral conditions. Also, it is stable in the same conditions up to temperatures close to its boiling point,
DMSO is thermally stable. It can be heated to 150 °C for 24 hours with less than 0.1% loss in purity.12
To prepare a sterile filtered DMSO solution is recommended to use a Teflon (PTFE) or nylon membrane. It is not recommended to use Cellulose acetate membranes.
DMSO Specificity
D8418 is designated as Molecular Biology grade and is suitable for molecular biology applications. It has been analyzed for the presence of nucleases and proteases.
D2650 is a Hybri-MaxTM product. It is hybridoma tested and is assessed for suitability in cell freezing. It is sterile filtered and tested for endotoxin levels.
Find other specification information on individual product pages.
