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Polar aprotic solvents

Sulfolane

Also known as Tetrahydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide, Tetramethylene sulfone, Sulfolan

CAS 126-33-0Formula C4H8O2SMolar mass 120.17 g/molEC 204-783-1
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 58 suppliers listed
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Sulfolane chemical structure, C4H8O2S, CAS 126-33-0
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
White or creamy white, crystalline powder
Melting point
27.4 to 27.8
Boiling point
285 °C
Density
1.2606 at 30 °C/4 °C
Flash point
177 °C
HS code
293499
Category
Polar aprotic solvents
UN number
UN 3334
Illustrative photo, off-white crystalline powder with an amber glass bottle on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Sulfolane?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Sulfolane is a member of the class of tetrahydrothiophenes that is tetrahydrothiophene in which the sulfur has been oxidised to give the corresponding sulfone. A colourless, high-boiling (285C) liquid that is miscible with both water and hydrocarbons, it is used as an industrial solvent, particularly for the purification of hydrocarbon mixtures by liquid-vapour extraction. It has a role as a polar aprotic solvent. It is a sulfone and a member of tetrahydrothiophenes. It derives from a hydride of a tetrahydrothiophene.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
thiolane 1,1-dioxide
CAS number
126-33-0 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 28452-93-9
EC number
204-783-1
Molecular formula
C4H8O2S
UNII
Y5L06AH4G5
MDL number
MFCD00005484
InChIKey
HXJUTPCZVOIRIF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C4H8O2S/c5-7(6)3-1-2-4-7/h1-4H2
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C1CCS(=O)(=O)C1

Synonyms

  • Tetrahydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide
  • Tetramethylene sulfone
  • Sulfolan
  • 1,1-Dioxothiolan
  • Sulpholane
  • Thiophene, tetrahydro-, 1,1-dioxide
  • thiolane 1,1-dioxide
  • Sulfalone
  • Sulphoxaline
  • Dioxothiolan
  • Thiophan sulfone
  • Bondelane A
  • Bondolane A
  • Thiophane dioxide
  • Thiacyclopentane dioxide
  • Cyclotetramethylene sulfone
  • Tetrahydrothiophene dioxide
  • Dihydrobutadiene sulfone
  • Thiolane-1,1-dioxide
  • Cyclic tetramethylene sulfone
  • 1,1-Dioxidetetrahydrothiophene
  • Dihydrobutadiene sulphone
  • 1,1-Dioxidetetrahydrothiofuran
  • Tetrahydrothiophene 1-dioxide
  • Thiocyclopentane-1,1-dioxide
Show all 37 synonyms
  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide
  • Tetrahydrothiofen-1,1-dioxid
  • thiolane-1,1-dione
  • Bondelane A, Bondolane A, Cyclic tetramethylene sulfone, Cyclotetramethylene sulfone, NSC 46443
  • 1lambda6-thiolane-1,1-dione
  • 1-Thiolane-1,1-dione
  • 1??-thiolane-1,1-dione
  • sulpholan
  • tetramethylenesulfone
  • tetramethylene sufone
  • tetramethylenesulphone
  • Sulfolane, 99%

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
White or creamy white, crystalline powderexp.
Odour
Odorlessexp.
Taste
Slightly bitter tasteexp.
Melting point
27.4 to 27.8exp.
Boiling point
285 °Cexp.
Density
1.2606 at 30 °C/4 °Cexp.
Flash point
177 °Cexp.
Solubility
Partially miscible with octanes, olefins, naphthenes, miscible with water, Acetone, toluene at 30 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
5 mm @ 118 °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
120.17 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
120.0245 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.2calc.
Topological polar surface area
34.14 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
2calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
7calc.
Rings
1calc.
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.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, O=S1(=O)CCCC1

O=S1(=O)CCCC1

1 ring, 7 atoms. This chemical is the scaffold itself.

1,610 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
120NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H302Harmful if swallowed.
Precautionary statements (5)
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P301 + P317If swallowed: Get medical help.
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 3334

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

Sulfolane suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 58 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

58 suppliers in 11 countries

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Sulfolane 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

Selective solvent for liquid-vapor extractions.

Solvent for aromatics extraction, for acid gas purification.

Extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from oil refinery streams, polymerization solvent, plasticizer.

Fractionation of wood tars, tall oil, and other fatty acids, component of hydraulic fluid, textile finishing.

Industrial uses: Other, Solvent, Processing aids, specific to petroleum production, Intermediate, Cleaning agent.

Consumer uses: Solvent, Cleaning agent, Intermediate.

Pharmacological actions

  • Convulsants
  • Radiation-Protective Agents

Roles

  • aprotic solvent
  • polar aprotic solvent
  • polar solvent
  • solvent

How it is made

Prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of sulfolene oxides: Mahan, Fauske, US 2578565 (1951 to Phillips Petroleum).

From butadiene and sulfur dioxide ... Evans, Morris, US 2360859 (1944 to Shell).

Sulfolane ... is made by reacting sulfur dioxide and butadiene to form sulfolene, which is then hydrogenated to give sulfolane

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 016-031-00-8

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 Sulfolane is traded under.

HS 2934.99Indicative HS code

Nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, not elsewhere classified in heading 2934

World exports in 2024
$26.7B
+15.0% vs 2023, imports $26.3B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Ireland26.3%
  2. China15.7%
  3. Singapore10.3%
Top importers
  1. United States24.5%
  2. Germany23.1%
  3. Japan4.5%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

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

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Sulfolane, based on the data on this page

What is Sulfolane?

Sulfolane is a member of the class of tetrahydrothiophenes that is tetrahydrothiophene in which the sulfur has been oxidised to give the corresponding sulfone.

What is the CAS number of Sulfolane?

The CAS registry number of Sulfolane is 126-33-0. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 28452-93-9.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Sulfolane?

The molecular formula of Sulfolane is C4H8O2S and its molar mass is 120.17 g/mol.

What is Sulfolane used for?

Selective solvent for liquid-vapor extractions. Solvent for aromatics extraction, for acid gas purification. Extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from oil refinery streams, polymerization solvent, plasticizer. Fractionation of wood tars, tall oil, and other fatty acids, component of hydraulic fluid, textile finishing.

Is Sulfolane hazardous?

Sulfolane carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: harmful if swallowed. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Sulfolane?

Sulfolane is usually classified under HS code 293499 (Nucleic acids and their salts, whether or not chemically defined, other heterocyclic…). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Sulfolane?

CompoundList lists 58 suppliers of Sulfolane in China, United States, India, Albania and 7 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Sulfolane in India?

7 suppliers in India list Sulfolane on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Sulfolane?

Suppliers quote Sulfolane on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Sulfolane

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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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