Dimethyl sulfide

Dimethyl sulfide, abbreviated DMS, is a low-boiling organosulfur liquid used as a chemical intermediate. It supplies a compact sulfur-containing molecular unit and is a principal precursor to dimethyl sulfoxide. The divalent sulfur atom can undergo oxidation or conversion into sulfonium derivatives, providing distinct routes to useful downstream sulfur chemistry.

DMS is chemically different from dimethyl disulfide, which contains a sulfur-sulfur bond and has a different application profile. It is also substantially less polar than DMSO, so DMSO solvent properties should not be attributed to the sulfide feedstock. The industrial grade is used for conversion in chemical manufacture, with its volatility influencing transfer, containment and process recovery.

Typical Applications

• Dimethyl sulfoxide production: Used as the sulfur-containing starting material for DMSO manufacture. Oxidation changes the sulfur functionality and produces the polar solvent used downstream in chemical and materials processing.
• Sulfonium intermediate chemistry: Used in selected specialty synthesis routes that convert the sulfide into sulfonium compounds. The small dimethyl-sulfur unit provides the structural starting point for these reagents and intermediates.

Specifications

Specifications describe the standard grade. Tolerance, test method and documentation package are confirmed per order.