Methylsulfonylmethane

« Back to Glossary Index

Methylsulfonylmethane is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics, personal care, and skincare formulations. Depending on its function, it may serve as a moisturizer, preservative, emulsifier, or active ingredient to enhance the overall effectiveness and performance of a product.

Dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2SO2. It is also known by several other names including methyl sulfone and (especially in alternative medicine) methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). This colorless solid features the sulfonyl functional group and is the simplest of the sulfones. It is relatively inert chemically and is able to resist decomposition at elevated temperatures. It occurs naturally in some primitive plants, is present in small amounts in many foods and beverages, and is marketed (under the MSM name) as a dietary supplement. It is sometimes used as a cutting agent for illicitly manufactured methamphetamine. It is also commonly found in the atmosphere above marine areas, where it is used as a carbon source by the airborne bacteria Afipia. Oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide produces the sulfone, both under laboratory conditions and metabolically.

Dimethyl sulfone
Methylsulfonylmethane
Methylsulfonylmethane
Dimethylsulfone
Dimethylsulfone
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(Methanesulfonyl)methane
Other names
methyl sulfone
methylsulfonylmethane
sulfonylbismethane
DMSO2
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
Abbreviations MSM
1737717
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.605 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 200-665-9
130437
KEGG
RTECS number
  • PB2785000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C2H6O2S/c1-5(2,3)4/h1-2H3 checkY
    Key: HHVIBTZHLRERCL-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C2H6O2S/c1-5(2,3)4/h1-2H3
    Key: HHVIBTZHLRERCL-UHFFFAOYAG
  • [O-][S++]([O-])(C)C
Properties
C2H6O2S
Molar mass 94.13 g·mol−1
Appearance White crystalline solid
Density 1.45 g/cm3
Melting point 109 °C (228 °F; 382 K)
Boiling point 248 °C (478 °F; 521 K)
Acidity (pKa) 31
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Warning
H319
P264, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentineFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
1
1
0
Flash point 143 °C (289 °F; 416 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
5g/kg (oral, rat)
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Related compounds
Related compounds
DMSO
dimethyl sulfide
dimethyl sulfate
sulfolane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)
« Back to Glossary Index
This entry was posted in . Bookmark the permalink.