When Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) was first synthesized by Alexander
Saytzeff in 1867, it is unlikely he envisioned the multitude of
uses for this compound in the 21st century. After its initial discovery,
DMSO remained relatively obscure for almost a century. Around 1958, DMSO
was rediscovered as a super solvent, because it would sometimes dissolve
materials which would not dissolve in any other common solvent.
DMSO is recognized as the most powerful of any readily available organic
solvent because is well dissolve the greatest variety of substrates to the
highest loading level. Due to DMSO’s many advantages, and high solvent
power, it should be an early solvent choice in the design of new chemical
and pharmaceutical processes.
The performance advantages of DMSO are illustrated by concrete examples in Synthesis Corner:
Comparative Reaction Solvents Program
Dimsyl Ion Preparations and Syntheses
Thus, this portion of the website enables the practicing discovery or process chemist to gain an appreciation for the benefits of this remarkable solvent.
Related Resources
