Sulfoxide
A sulfoxide is a molecule that has a sulfur atom bonded to two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom.[1] It comes from oxidising thioethers, without going all the way to the sulfone. Like many molecules containing sulfur, sulfoxide can sometimes smell a lot.
Sulfoxides can be written with the general formula R–S(=O)–R'. Sulfur has a double bond with the oxygen, and single bonds with the carbons. That leaves a lone pair on the atom. This gives it trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry. It also means that the sulfur can be a chiral centre. Sulfoxides are used as good ligands for transition metals.[source?]
The simplest sulfoxide is dimethyl sulfoxide, SO(CH3)2. It is also called DMSO. It is used as a solvent for many reactions, especially in biochemistry.[source?]
- ↑ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. (the "Gold Book") (2025). Online version: (2006–) "sulfoxides". doi:10.1351/goldbook.S06124