Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO, empirically C₂H₆OS), also known as methyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimethylsulfoxide, methylsulfinylmethane or sulfinylbismethane, is a sulfur-containing organic chemical compound.

At room temperature and pressure, it is a clear liquid with a slight odour described as garlic or sulfur. Its molecular weight is 78.13, its density 1.1004 g/ml, it melts at 18.45°C (65.21°F) and boils at 189°C (372°F). It is hygroscopic and readily soluble with a wide range of substances. It is an irritant to the eyes, skin, respiratory tract, and on ingestion. Prolonged exposure can cause dermatitis and possibly damage the liver or kidneys.

It is a by-product of wood pulping and is used as an industrial aprotic solvent and has attracted attention from the pharmaceutical industry. It was discovered in 1867 but was not used commercially until after WWII. Its uses include paint removal, as a rinsing agent in the electronics industry, as an organic reaction medium and in polymer synthesis. The deuterated form of DMSO, DMSO-d6, is a useful solvent in NMR because of its ability to dissolve a wide range of chemical compounds and its minimal interference with the sample signals.

Its use in medicine dates from around 1963 when a University of Oregon Medical School team headed by Stanley Jacob discovered it could penetrate deeply through the skin and other membranes, without damage, and had effects of its own or could 'carry' other compounds deep into a biological system. If you dip a finger into it, you'll notice its taste in your mouth after a few seconds.

It is predominantly used as a topical analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It has been examined for the treatment of an extraordinary number of conditions and ailments. The FDA has approved its use only for the palliative treatment of interstitial cystitis. DMSO has been used as a cryoprotectant in cryobiology and is still an important constituent of cryoprotectant vitrification mixtures used to preserve organs and tissues.

Compare to Methylsulfonylmethane

references

http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/ME/methyl_sulfoxide.html