The key difference between DMSO and MSM is that DMSO is an organosulfur compound that exists in the liquid phase, whereas MSM is an organosulfur compound that exists in the solid phase.
The term DMSO stands for dimethyl sulfoxide while the term MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane. Both these are organosulfur compounds. That means; these compounds have sulfur atoms bound to organic compounds. The major difference between DMSO and MSM lies in the phase of matter in which these compounds exist at room temperature. There are some other differences as well in addition to this key difference.
DMSO is dimethyl sulfoxide. It is an organosulfur compound that exists in the liquid phase at room temperature. The chemical formula for DMSO is (CH3)2SO. This compound is a colourless liquid that is important as a polar aprotic solvent, i.e. it can dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds for some extent. Therefore, this compound is miscible with a wide range of compounds. Its molar mass is 78.13 g/mol. The melting point of this compound is relatively high (19 °C). Generally, DMSO has a garlic-like taste in mouth.
When considering the chemical structure, DMSO has trigonal pyramidal geometry. It is because it has a sulfur atom at the centre with a lone electron pair on it and two methyl groups and an oxygen atom attached to the sulfur atom. In the industrial scale, we use dimethyl sulfide for the production of DMSO as a byproduct of the Kraft process.
Figure 01: Chemical Structure of DMSO
DMSO is weak acidic because the methyl groups of this compound are weakly acidic. Towards soft electrophiles, DMSO is nucleophilic. Furthermore, this compound is useful as an oxidant in organic synthesis reactions. In coordination chemistry, DMSO is a common ligand.
DMSO has a wide range of uses, including its use a polar aprotic solvent which can dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds, to inhibit the secondary structures that form on DNA template during PCR, as an alternative medicine, etc.
What is MSM?
MSM is methylsulfonylmethane. It is an organosulfur compound that exists in the solid phase at room temperature. The chemical formula is (CH3)2SO2. This compound is considered as a chemically inert compound. It naturally occurs in some food, primitive plants, beverages, etc. Its molar mass is 94.13 g/mol. The melting point is 109 °C. Less or no reactivity of MSM is due to the oxidation state of the sulfur atom; it is already in the highest oxidation state that it can stay.
Figure 02: Chemical Structure of MSM
When considering the uses of this compound, it is used as a solvent because of its polarity and thermal stability; it has medical and dietary applications as well.
What is the Difference Between DMSO and MSM?
The term DMSO stands for dimethyl sulfoxide while the term MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane. Both these are organosulfur compounds. The key difference between DMSO and MSM is that DMSO is an organosulfur compound that exists in the liquid phase, whereas MSM is an organosulfur compound that exists in the solid phase. Moreover, DMSO is polar aprotic; therefore, it can dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds. However, MSM is a polar compound. When considering the geometry of the molecules, DMSO has a trigonal pyramidal structure while MSM has a trigonal planar structure.
Below infographic summarizes the difference between DMSO and MSM.
Summary – DMSO vs MSM
The term DMSO stands for dimethyl sulfoxide while the term MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane. Both these are organosulfur compounds. However, the key difference between DMSO and MSM is that DMSO is an organosulfur compound that exists in the liquid phase, whereas MSM is an organosulfur compound that exists in the solid phase.
Reference:
1.“Dimethyl Sulfoxide.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2019, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Dimethylsulfoxid” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Me2SO2” By Smokefoot – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia