Methylsulfonylmethane

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Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally-occurring chemical in the body, some green plants and animals, and can also be synthetically produced in a laboratory. It is believed to provide sulfur molecules for the synthesis of other compounds within the body.

MSM is beneficial for all skin types and age groups. It has shown to be very successful in treating conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, as well as sensitive and troublesome skin. It works to keep skin healthy and strong, thus preventing early aging and skin damage.

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
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)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Warning
H319
P264, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
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 ?)
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