Dimethyl sulfoxide, properties, uses and safety protection

Dimethyl sulfoxide is a common hazardous chemical with many applications, such as as a solvent, catalyst or extractant. However, its nature also poses many security risks to people. This article will provide a detailed professional explanation of the properties, uses and safety protection of dimethyl sulfoxide from multiple aspects to help readers better understand this dangerous product.

1. Nature

1.1 Chemical properties

The molecular formula of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO for short) is C2H6SO. It is a colorless and transparent liquid with strong solubility and can dissolve many organic and inorganic substances. At the same time, it is also a good ionophore and can form complexes with metal ions. Therefore, it has wide applications in catalytic synthesis and other aspects.

1.2 Physical properties

DMSO is a solvent with special physical properties. Its density is 1.10 g/cm³, its boiling point is 189°C, and its melting point is 18.45°C. In addition, it has a high dielectric constant and refractive index and can be used in analysis such as infrared spectroscopy, NMR and mass spectrometry. However, due to its strong absorption into the skin, it cannot come into contact with the skin and do not inhale its vapor to avoid causing damage to the human body.

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1.3 Synthesis method

It can be synthesized by oxidation of dimethyl sulfide and oxygen, reaction of sodium methyl sulfate and dimethyl ammonia, etc. However, due to the high toxicity of DMSO, which is very harmful to the environment and human body, special care is required during synthesis and use.

2. Purpose

2.1 Industrial use

DMSO is an important organic product widely used in industry. It can be used as a medium, extraction agent, catalyst, etc. For example: it can be used as a solvent in the production of isomeric cysteine; it can be used as a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in catalytic synthesis; it can be used as a dehydrating agent in amino acid synthesis in the field of fine chemicals, etc.

2.2 Medical purposes

DMSO, as a pharmaceutical solvent, is currently used in many clinical applications. It can be used as a drug delivery medium to assist in the treatment of various diseases. For example: it can be used to treat urinary tract infections, periodontitis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and more. At the same time, it can also be used in surgical operations to improve the success rate of operations.

2.3 Food industry use

DMSO has few applications in the food industry, but it also has certain use value. For example: it can be used as a detergent for protein separation and fat extraction. However, during food processing or production, DMSO cannot come into direct contact with food. When used, the quantity needs to be strictly controlled and a professional process must be adopted.

3. Safety protection

3.1 Hazards and avoidance methods

DMSO is a toxic substance and requires extreme caution when using it. Its vapor can cause drowsiness, headache, dizziness and other symptoms; contact with the skin can cause local erythema, blisters, white spots, etc. Therefore, when exposed to DMSO, avoid confined spaces and improve ventilation conditions. At the same time, you must wear protective equipment such as gloves, work clothes, and protective glasses before use to avoid direct contact with the human body.

3.2 Waste handling and safe storage

As a toxic waste, DMSO requires attention to its handling and storage issues. After use, it should be placed in a special waste container and sent to a hazardous waste disposal center for disposal. In addition, avoid mixing it with other chemicals to prevent unpredictable hazards.

To sum up, DMSO is an important hazardous chemical. Although it has wide application value, it has many safety risks in terms of chemical properties and toxicity. Therefore, strict safety protection measures and storage methods must be adopted during use and handling to avoid harm to the human body and the environment. We should improve safety awareness and use DMSO scientifically.