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Polar aprotic solvents

Dimethyl sulfoxide

Also known as DMSO, Methylsulfinylmethane, Methyl sulfoxide

CAS 67-68-5Formula C2H6OSMolar mass 78.14 g/molEC 200-664-3
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 327 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Dimethyl sulfoxide chemical structure, C2H6OS, CAS 67-68-5
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless liquid
Melting point
18.4 °C
Boiling point
189 °C
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 1.1
Flash point
95 °C
HS code
293090
Category
Polar aprotic solvents
UN number
UN 2811
Illustrative photo, an amber glass solvent bottle with clear liquid on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Dimethyl sulfoxide?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Dimethyl sulfoxide is a 2-carbon sulfoxide in which the sulfur atom has two methyl substituents. It has a role as a geroprotector, an alkylating agent, a non-narcotic analgesic, a MRI contrast agent, a polar aprotic solvent, a radical scavenger, an antidote and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a volatile organic compound and a sulfoxide.

Dimethyl sulfoxide is an organosulfur chemical compound used as a solvent.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
methylsulfinylmethane
CAS number
67-68-5 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 8070-53-9
EC number
200-664-3
Molecular formula
C2H6OS
UNII
YOW8V9698H
MDL number
MFCD00002089
INCI name
DMSO
InChIKey
IAZDPXIOMUYVGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C2H6OS/c1-4(2)3/h1-2H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CS(=O)C

Synonyms

  • DMSO
  • Methylsulfinylmethane
  • Methyl sulfoxide
  • Dimethyl sulphoxide
  • Dimethylsulfoxide
  • sulfinylbismethane
  • Demasorb
  • Domoso
  • Methane, sulfinylbis-
  • Demsodrox
  • Dromisol
  • Deltan
  • Demavet
  • Demeso
  • Dolicur
  • Hyadur
  • Infiltrina
  • Somipront
  • Dimexide
  • Durasorb
  • Syntexan
  • Dermasorb
  • Dimethyl sulfur oxide
  • Doligur
  • Dipirartril-tropico
Show all 39 synonyms
  • Gamasol 90
  • Herpid
  • Topsym
  • Dimethylsulfoxyde
  • Sulfinylbis(methane)
  • Rimso-50
  • Dimethylsulfoxid
  • Dimetil sulfoxido
  • Dimethylsulphoxide
  • (methylsulfinyl)methane
  • SQ 9453
  • Rimso 50
  • Dimethyli sulfoxidum
  • Rimso-5

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless liquidexp.
Odour
Slightly sulfurous odorexp.
Taste
Slightly bitter taste with sweet after-tasteexp.
Melting point
18.4 °Cexp.
Boiling point
189 °Cexp.
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 1.1exp.
Flash point
95 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
215 °Cexp.
Solubility
Soluble in waterexp.
Vapour pressure
VP: 0.42 mm at 20 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
78.14 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
78.0139 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-0.01calc.
Topological polar surface area
17.07 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
4calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
1calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
220NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements (16)
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 2811

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Dimethyl sulfoxide suppliers

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All 327 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

327 suppliers in 37 countries

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Dimethyl sulfoxide price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

DMSO is not a nutritional supplement. It is used as a treatment for interstitial cystitis, and treatment must be performed by a qualified physician. DMSO is metabolized to methylsulfonylmethane, which is available as a nutritional supplement.

Vitrification has become common for cryopreservation of embryos. ...Extended exposure of embryos with both vitrification protocols showed that the DMSO-containing vitrification solutions did not lead to cell membrane damage and death as quickly as the DMSO-free vitrification solutions.

Read more

To assess embryo viability, the authors recommend that vitrification of early embryos should be combined with extended culture and assessment of normal blastocyst development before transferring to patients.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a molecule with a long history in pharmaceutics and is now well established as a penetration enhancer in topical pharmaceutical formulations. It is currently used for this purpose in diclofenac sodium topical solution (approved in the United States to treat signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis) and idoxuridine topical solution (approved in Europe for the treatment of herpes zoster). ... The clinical use of pharmaceutical-grade DMSO as a penetration enhancer is supported by the robust data that have accumulated over the past 3 decades demonstrating the favorable safety and tolerability profile. Dimethyl sulfoxide is a safe and effective mechanism for facilitating the transdermal delivery of both hydrophilic and lipophilic medications to provide localized drug delivery.

Industrial uses: Laboratory chemicals, Etching agent, Cleaning agent, Plating agent, Solvent.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name DMSO(solvent)

Pharmacological actions

  • Cryoprotective Agents
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Solvents

Roles

  • Escherichia coli metabolite
  • MRI contrast agent
  • aetiopathogenetic role
  • alkylating agent
  • analgesic
  • antidote
  • antioxidant
  • aprotic solvent
  • bacterial metabolite
  • diagnostic agent
  • diagnostic imaging agent
  • genotoxin
  • geroprotector
  • metabolite
  • mutagen
  • non-narcotic analgesic
  • pharmaceutical
  • polar aprotic solvent
  • polar solvent
  • prokaryotic metabolite
  • protective agent
  • radical scavenger
  • solvent

Functional uses

  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Solvent

Cosmetic functions

  • Solvent

Pharmacology

Dimethyl Sulfoxide is a highly polar organic liquid that is used widely as a chemical solvent and a free radical scavenger. It shows a range of pharmacological activity including analgesia and anti-inflammation. Because of its ability to penetrate biological membranes, it is used as a vehicle for topical application of pharmaceuticals. It is also used to protect cells and tissue during cryopreservation and has been used to treat extravasation damage caused by anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

How it is made

In industry, DMSO is produced by catalytic oxidation of dimethyl sulfide with oxygen or by oxidation with nitrogen dioxide. The oxidation of dimethyl sulfide with oxygen at 7.2 MPa and 105 °C gives good yields of DMSO.

Obtained as a by-product of paper manufacture...

Oxidation of dimethyl sulfide with nitrogen tetroxide under anhydrous conditions, sulfide waste liquors.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: Dimethyl sulfoxide (INN), Ref no: 338, Annex ref: II/338
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Dimethyl sulfoxide is traded under.

HS 2930.90Indicative HS code

Organo-sulphur compounds, other

World exports in 2024
$5.83B
+0.1% vs 2023, imports $5.93B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China40.7%
  2. United States10.9%
  3. Japan9.3%
Top importers
  1. United States13.3%
  2. Brazil12.6%
  3. China6.6%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Dimethyl sulfoxide is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Dimethyl sulfoxide, based on the data on this page

What is Dimethyl sulfoxide?

Dimethyl sulfoxide is a 2-carbon sulfoxide in which the sulfur atom has two methyl substituents. It has a role as a geroprotector, an alkylating agent, a non-narcotic analgesic, a MRI contrast agent, a polar aprotic solvent, a radical scavenger, an antidote and an Escherichia coli metabolite.

What is the CAS number of Dimethyl sulfoxide?

The CAS registry number of Dimethyl sulfoxide is 67-68-5. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 8070-53-9.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Dimethyl sulfoxide?

The molecular formula of Dimethyl sulfoxide is C2H6OS and its molar mass is 78.14 g/mol.

What is Dimethyl sulfoxide used for?

DMSO is not a nutritional supplement. It is used as a treatment for interstitial cystitis, and treatment must be performed by a qualified physician. DMSO is metabolized to methylsulfonylmethane, which is available as a nutritional supplement. Vitrification has become common for cryopreservation of embryos.

Is Dimethyl sulfoxide hazardous?

Dimethyl sulfoxide carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Dimethyl sulfoxide?

Dimethyl sulfoxide is usually classified under HS code 293090 (Organo-sulphur compounds, other). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Dimethyl sulfoxide?

CompoundList lists 327 suppliers of Dimethyl sulfoxide in China, India, United States, Germany and 33 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Dimethyl sulfoxide in India?

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What is the price of Dimethyl sulfoxide?

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Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Dimethyl sulfoxide

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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