Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)

Dimethyl sulfoxide is an organosulfur compound which has two methyl groups, one oxygen atom and one sulfur atom. Chemical formula of dimethyl sulfoxide is (CH3)2SO. It is a colorless liquid which has the ability to dissolve both polar and non - polar compounds. It is also known as DMSO (abbreviation of dimethyl sulfoxide). It is known by other names as well such as methylsulfinylmethane or methyl sulfoxide etc. Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a highly polar and water miscible organic liquid. It is essentially odorless, and has a low level of toxicity. DMSO is a dipolar aprotic solvent, and has a relatively high boiling point. Further below is a compilation of Physical Properties data for this useful solvent.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 DMSO makes contact with their 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.DMSO is frequently used as a solvent for chemical reactions involving salts, most notably Finkelstein reactions and other nucleophilic substitutions. It is also extensively used as an extractant in biochemistry and cell biology.