What is the Difference Between DMF and DMSO?

The key difference between DMF (dimethyl formamide) and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) lies in their chemical structures and toxicity. Both DMF and DMSO are organic compounds that share similar physical properties and are used as solvents in various applications. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Chemical Structure: DMF is an amide, while DMSO is an organosulfur compound. The functional group in DMF is an amide group, whereas the functional group of DMSO is an oxide group.
2. Polarity: DMSO is more polar than DMF, with a dielectric constant of 49 compared to DMF's dielectric constant of 37. This makes DMSO a better solvent for polar compounds.
3. Toxicity: DMF is more toxic than DMSO. DMSO is considered a safer replacement for DMF due to its lower toxicity.

Both DMF and DMSO are used as solvents for organic small molecules and are commonly used to prepare stock solutions with high small molecule concentrations over 10 mM. However, they can negatively affect protein stability and functionality, so their concentrations should be kept at less than 5% (v/v).

Comparative Table: DMF vs DMSO

DMF (dimethyl formamide) and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) are both organic compounds with similar molecular structures, but they have different properties and applications. Here is a comparison between the two:

DMF is an amide, while DMSO is an organosulfur compound. DMF is prepared by combining methyl formate and dimethylamine or from the reaction between which is a byproduct of the Kraft process. DMSO is considered to be less toxic than DMF. In some applications, such as the extraction of phytoplankton chlorophyll, DMF has been found to be a better extractant than DMSO. However, in other applications, such as the quality improvement of distillate recovered from waste plastic pyrolysis oil, DMSO has been found to be superior to DMF in terms of solubility of paraffin components.