Effective liquid-liquid extraction procedures to isolate a product derived by aqueous workup of a DMSO reaction mixture may be simplified by careful choice of the extraction solvent. The table below lists distribution constants for DMSO, between water and common water immisible extraction solvents. Choosing the solvent with the highest K^d value minimizes the degree of DMSO uptake in the extraction solvent, simplifying product isolation.

A recent reference (Organic Process Research & Development 11 (2007) p160-164) describes a benefit associated with the use of DMSO in extractive workup:

“DMSO is the reaction solvent which has the lowest affinity for the organic layer. Concentrations of co-extracted reaction oslvents in the organic layer increase as follows: DMSO < NMP , DMAc, DMF, DMI, TMU < ACN < diglyme < 1,4 dioxane < THF.”