Methylsulfonylmethane

• Methylsulfonylmethane
• Sulfonylbismethan

White crystals

Fixed

1.17 g · cm -3

107-110 ° C

238 ° C

Moderately in water ( 150 g · l-1 at 20 ° C)

> 5000 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

-450.1 KJ / mol

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

An organic sulfur compound is dimethyl sulfone. It belongs to the class of sulfones. Dimethyl sulfoxide differs from the solvent by an additionally bonded oxygen atom at the sulfur atom.

Occurrence

Dimethyl sulfone is present in many animal and plant organisms, and is also a component of the human diet. High concentrations are found in cow's milk ( 3.3 ppm ) and coffee ( 1.6 ppm ).

Representation

Like all organic sulfones can be prepared with hydrogen peroxide H2O2 dimethyl sulfone by oxidation of dimethyl sulfide. This gives the intermediate dimethyl sulfoxide.

Properties

Pure dimethyl sulfone forms colorless, odorless, slightly bitter -tasting crystals. Similar to dimethyl sulfoxide dimethyl sulfone is weak CH-acidic, making it by strong bases such as Butyllithium can be deprotonated.

Biological Significance

Similar to the presentation in the laboratory is in dimethyl organism of mammals, the product of the metabolism of dimethylsulfoxide. This is oxidized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system to dimethyl sulfone and then excreted in the urine.

Use as a food supplement

Dimethyl sulfone, is usually under the name of methylsulfonylmethane ( MSM), as a dietary supplement for humans and animals, especially horses offered. It is to compensate for a lack of organic sulfur in the organism.