Packings

DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE for Residual analysis, Headspace analysis. GC Grade solvent.

DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE for Residual analysis, Headspace analysis. GC Grade solvent.
Category
Product Code
0104264-1000ML
HSN Code
-
CAS Number
67-68-5
Brand Name
Packing Size
1000ML

What is Dimethylsulfoxide?

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, CAS No. 67-68-5), also known as dimethyl sulphoxide, is a highly polar, aprotic solvent ideal for GC, pharmaceutical testing, and complex sample prep. Its ability to dissolve both polar and non-polar compounds makes it essential for residual analysis and headspace GC. Lab Chemicals’ GC-grade DMSO offers excellent thermal stability, low UV absorbance, and minimal impurities—delivering consistent, high-purity performance that meets global standards while offering a cost-effective alternative to premium brands. 

Key Chemical Properties of Dimethyl Sulphoxide

DMSO’s powerful solvation capabilities and inert profile make it an exceptional solvent in analytical settings: 

  • Polarity: Highly polar, allowing dissolution of a wide range of compounds 
  • Boiling Point: ~189°C, enabling stability at high GC inlet temperatures 
  • Melting Point: ~18.5°C 
  • Miscibility: Fully miscible with water, alcohols, ketones, esters, and aromatic hydrocarbons 
  • UV Cutoff: Low absorbance in the UV region, suitable for detectors 
  • Volatility: Moderate; low vapor pressure reduces background noise in headspace analysis 
  • Chemical Stability: Stable under oxidative, thermal, and neutral to basic conditions 

Molecular Formula and Composition

Understanding the structure of dimethyl sulphoxide DMSO clarifies its high solvency power and compatibility with analytical instruments: 

  • Chemical Formula: C₂H₆OS 
  • Molecular Weight: 78.13 g/mol 
  • Structure: A sulfur atom doubly bonded to oxygen and singly bonded to two methyl groups 

This unique molecular arrangement makes DMSO amphiphilic, allowing it to dissolve both aqueous and organic compounds—ideal for sample matrices that require comprehensive solvation. 

Physical Characteristics – Appearance & Handling

The GC-grade dimethyl sulphoxide is meticulously packaged to maintain purity and integrity during transport and use: 

Attribute  Specification 

 

Appearance  Clear, colourless liquid 
Odor  Slightly garlic-like 
Density  ~1.10 g/cm³ at 20°C 
Refractive Index  ~1.479 
Packaging Formats  Amber-glass bottles, HDPE containers, and bulk carboys 
Handling Precautions  Use gloves and eye protection; DMSO can penetrate skin and carry substances 
Storage Guidelines  Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and oxidizers 

How is GC-Grade Dimethyl Sulphoxide Manufactured?

Producing dimethyl sulphoxide GC-grade solvent involves a multi-stage process focused on purity and batch consistency: 

  1. Synthesis Phase: DMSO is typically synthesized through the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) using oxygen or nitric acid catalysts. 
  2. Primary Distillation: Removes lower-boiling impurities and unreacted DMS 
  3. Advanced Purification: Further purification removes trace metals, peroxides, and volatile organic impurities 
  4. UV Absorbance Control: Filtration and polishing eliminate residues that could interfere with sensitive detectors 
  5. Moisture Removal: Karl Fischer drying methods are employed to reduce water content below 0.05% 
  6. Inert Packaging: Bottled under nitrogen or argon to prevent oxidative degradation 

Analytical & Industrial Applications of DMSO

Due to its versatile solvency and inert characteristics, dimethyl sulphoxide is widely adopted in both routine and specialized applications: 

1. Gas Chromatography (GC) 

  • Used as a sample solvent for residual solvent analysis in pharmaceuticals 
  • Compatible with headspace gas chromatography, especially for high boiling point analytes 
  • Provides clean baselines and consistent reproducibility in volatile analysis 

2. Pharmaceutical Development 

  • Solubilizing agent for active ingredients during formulation screening 
  • Employed in bioavailability and stability studies 
  • Used in in-vitro and in-vivo testing for controlled drug delivery studies 

3. Biotechnology & Life Sciences 

  • Preservative and cryoprotectant in cell preservation protocols 
  • Common in PCR and DNA sequencing buffer systems 
  • Dissolves lipophilic bioactive compounds for pharmacological testing 

4. Industrial and Chemical Research 

  • Acts as a reaction medium in polymer synthesis, photochemistry, and catalysis 
  • Used as a carrier solvent in microelectronics and coating technologies 
  • Supports sample dispersion in analytical surface science 

Conclusion

Dimethylsulfoxide (CAS No. 67-68-5) is a key solvent in analytical chemistry, ideal for trace analysis, headspace GC, and complex sample prep due to its broad solubility, inertness, and low UV absorbance. 

Lab Chemicals offers GC-grade DMSO with high purity, consistency, and full documentation—trusted by researchers worldwide. 

Molecular Formula and Composition

Understanding the structure of dimethyl sulphoxide DMSO clarifies its high solvency power and compatibility with analytical instruments: 

  • Chemical Formula: C₂H₆OS 
  • Molecular Weight: 78.13 g/mol 
  • Structure: A sulfur atom doubly bonded to oxygen and singly bonded to two methyl groups 

This unique molecular arrangement makes DMSO amphiphilic, allowing it to dissolve both aqueous and organic compounds—ideal for sample matrices that require comprehensive solvation. 

Physical Characteristics – Appearance & Handling

The GC-grade dimethyl sulphoxide is meticulously packaged to maintain purity and integrity during transport and use: 

Attribute  Specification 

 

Appearance  Clear, colourless liquid 
Odor  Slightly garlic-like 
Density  ~1.10 g/cm³ at 20°C 
Refractive Index  ~1.479 
Packaging Formats  Amber-glass bottles, HDPE containers, and bulk carboys 
Handling Precautions  Use gloves and eye protection; DMSO can penetrate skin and carry substances 
Storage Guidelines  Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and oxidizers 

How is GC-Grade Dimethyl Sulphoxide Manufactured?

Producing dimethyl sulphoxide GC-grade solvent involves a multi-stage process focused on purity and batch consistency: 

  1. Synthesis Phase: DMSO is typically synthesized through the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) using oxygen or nitric acid catalysts. 
  2. Primary Distillation: Removes lower-boiling impurities and unreacted DMS 
  3. Advanced Purification: Further purification removes trace metals, peroxides, and volatile organic impurities 
  4. UV Absorbance Control: Filtration and polishing eliminate residues that could interfere with sensitive detectors 
  5. Moisture Removal: Karl Fischer drying methods are employed to reduce water content below 0.05% 
  6. Inert Packaging: Bottled under nitrogen or argon to prevent oxidative degradation 

Analytical & Industrial Applications of DMSO

Due to its versatile solvency and inert characteristics, dimethyl sulphoxide is widely adopted in both routine and specialized applications: 

1. Gas Chromatography (GC) 

  • Used as a sample solvent for residual solvent analysis in pharmaceuticals 
  • Compatible with headspace gas chromatography, especially for high boiling point analytes 
  • Provides clean baselines and consistent reproducibility in volatile analysis 

2. Pharmaceutical Development 

  • Solubilizing agent for active ingredients during formulation screening 
  • Employed in bioavailability and stability studies 
  • Used in in-vitro and in-vivo testing for controlled drug delivery studies 

3. Biotechnology & Life Sciences 

  • Preservative and cryoprotectant in cell preservation protocols 
  • Common in PCR and DNA sequencing buffer systems 
  • Dissolves lipophilic bioactive compounds for pharmacological testing 

4. Industrial and Chemical Research 

  • Acts as a reaction medium in polymer synthesis, photochemistry, and catalysis 
  • Used as a carrier solvent in microelectronics and coating technologies 
  • Supports sample dispersion in analytical surface science 

Conclusion

Dimethylsulfoxide (CAS No. 67-68-5) is a key solvent in analytical chemistry, ideal for trace analysis, headspace GC, and complex sample prep due to its broad solubility, inertness, and low UV absorbance. 

Lab Chemicals offers GC-grade DMSO with high purity, consistency, and full documentation—trusted by researchers worldwide.