Physical Properties of DMSO
Some of the physical properties of DMSO are included in the following table. For a more extensive list,
please refer to Gaylord's Bulletin 101, "Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Physical Properties."
A large amount of solubility data has been compiled. Please refer to Gaylord's Bulletin 102, "Dimethyl Sul-
foxide (DMSO) Solubility Data" for information on solubility of organic, inorganic, and pharmaceutical com-
pounds.
Reactivity
DMSO reacts very rapidly and vigorously with a number of materials, particularly with those that also react
rapidly with water. The reactions are highly exothermic, with rapid steam or gas evolution. In most cases
these reactions can be controlled by rate or order of addition or by arranging adequate heat removal. The
following types of compounds require care to prevent extremely rapid reactions.
1. Strong oxidizing agents such as perchlorates, permanganates, iodine pentafluoride, silver fluoride and
3. Carboxylic acid anhydrides react rapidly.
4. Alkali hydrides used for making DMSO anion require adequate heat removal. (A technical bulletin on re-
Lower (100