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Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a fascinating solvent with a range of unique properties that make it a valuable tool in chemistry, biology, and medicine. As a polar aprotic solvent with high polarity and dipolarity, DMSO is characterized by an exceptional ability to diffuse through biological membranes. This property makes DMSO an extremely useful aid in numerous applications.

The discovery and properties of DMSO

DMSO was first synthesized in 1866 by the German chemist Alexander Saytzeff. However, its full potential was only recognized in the 1960s when researchers discovered the remarkable permeability and solvent capabilities of this molecule.

DMSO is a colorless, oily liquid with a characteristic garlic odor. It is flammable but not explosive. Chemically, it is a polar aprotic solvent with a dipole moment of 3.96 Debye. This high dipole value gives DMSO a strong ability to dissolve polar and ionic compounds. At the same time, it can also dissolve nonpolar substances such as fats, oils, and hydrocarbons.

Another fascinating feature of DMSO is its ability to bind water. It can absorb up to 3 water molecules per DMSO molecule without losing its solvent properties. This hydrophilicity also contributes to the high permeability of DMSO.

The permeability of DMSO

The outstanding property of DMSO is its ability to diffuse through biological membranes. Due to its polar nature and hydrophilicity, DMSO can easily penetrate cell membranes, skin, and other barriers. This mechanism is not yet fully understood, but it is suspected that DMSO forms hydrogen bonds with the phospholipids of the membrane, thereby increasing permeability.

This property makes DMSO a valuable tool in medicine and research. It can serve as a carrier for active substances that would otherwise be poorly absorbed by the body. Furthermore, DMSO itself can be used as an active substance because it has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and blood circulation-promoting properties.

Technical applications of DMSO

Besides medical applications, DMSO is also widely used in industry and research. Due to its excellent solvent properties, it is an important solvent for a variety of chemicals and active substances.

In the semiconductor industry, for example, DMSO is used as a solvent for photoresists. In petrochemicals, it serves to separate sulfur compounds from crude oil and natural gas. DMSO is also used in paint manufacturing, textile finishing, and the paper industry.

Moreover, DMSO is a useful solvent in organic synthesis. It can dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds, enabling a variety of chemical reactions. In particular, DMSO has proven to be a valuable aid in peptide and oligonucleotide synthesis.

DMSO in research

DMSO is also intensively used in research. Due to its ability to penetrate cell membranes, it is an important tool in cell biology and biochemistry. DMSO is frequently used to solubilize and stabilize proteins, nucleic acids, and other biological macromolecules.

Furthermore, DMSO is used in cryopreservation. It can protect cells and tissues from damage caused by ice formation by acting as an antifreeze agent. This property makes DMSO a valuable aid in stem cell research and transplantation medicine.

DMSO also plays an important role in analytical chemistry. It is often used as a solvent for NMR spectroscopy samples because its low intrinsic signals facilitate the analysis of samples.

Conclusion

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a fascinating solvent with a variety of unique properties. Its outstanding permeability through biological membranes makes it a valuable tool in medicine, biology, and research. At the same time, DMSO is also used in numerous industrial applications where its solvency and stability are advantageous.

The research and use of DMSO is a prime example of how the discovery of unexpected properties of chemical compounds can lead to innovative applications. DMSO is certainly a solvent that will continue to play an important role in science and technology in the future.