Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO): Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a highly polar organic reagent that has exceptional solvent properties for organic and inorganic chemicals. Among its uses in organic synthesis is the oxidation of thiols and disulfides to sulfonic acids. Other reactions in which DMSO participates include the hydrolysis of epoxides, the thioalkylation of phenols, and the oxidation of primary alcohols, primary halides, and esters of primary alcohols to aldehydes.The compatibility of DMSO with various materials is listed below: Compatible: LDPE, HDPE, polypropylene, PPCO (polypropylene copolymer), polymethylpentene, nylon, teflon FEP Moderately compatible: polystyrene, ECTFE/ETFE Incompatible: polysulfone, flexible and rigid PVC tubing, polycarbonate