Everything about Dimethyl Sulfide totally explained
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Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) or methylthiomethane is an
organosulfur compound with the formula (CH
3)
2S. Dimethyl sulfide is a water-insoluble flammable liquid that boils at 37°C and has a characteristic disagreeable odor. It is a component of the smell produced from cooking of certain vegetables, notably corn, cabbage,
beetroot and seafoods. It is also an indication of
bacterial infection in
malt production and
brewing. It is a breakdown product of
dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and is also produced by the bacterial metabolism of
methanethiol.
Natural sources and link with climate
DMS is the most abundant biological sulfur compound emitted to the
atmosphere. Emission occurs over the
oceans by
phytoplankton. DMS is also produced naturally by bacterial transformation of
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) waste that's disposed of into sewers, where it can cause environmental odor problems..
DMS is oxidized in the marine atmosphere to various sulfur-containing compounds, such as
sulfur dioxide,
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl sulfone,
methane sulfonic acid and
sulfuric acid.
Among these compounds, sulfuric acid has the potential to create new
aerosols which act as
cloud condensation nuclei. Through this interaction with
cloud formation, the massive production of atmospheric DMS over the oceans may have a significant impact on the Earth's
climate.
Recent research suggests that marine bacteria are reducing the amount of this important climate cooling gas given off from our seas.
Smell
Dimethyl sulfide has a characteristic cabbage-like smell that becomes highly disagreeble at higher concentrations. DMS has a low olfactory threshold that varies from 0.02 to 0.1 ppm between different persons. However, it's also available as a food additive to impart a savory flavor; in such use, its concentration is low. Beetroot, asparagus, cabbage, corn and seafoods produce dimethyl sulfide when cooked.
Marine phytoplankton also produces dimethyl sulfide. Andrew Johnston, of the
University of East Anglia, has characterized DMS as being the "smell of the sea". It would be more accurate to say that DMS is a component of the "smell of the sea," another being
pheromones of algae called
dictyopterenes.
Dimethyl sulfide is also an odorant emitted by
kraft pulping mills, and a byproduct of
Swern oxidation.
Industrial uses
In industry it's used in
petroleum refining and in
petrochemical production processes to control the formation of
coke and
carbon monoxide. In addition it's used to control dusting in steel mills. It is also used in a range of organic
syntheses, also being a side product of
Swern oxidation. It also has a use as a food flavoring component. It can also be oxidized by natural or artificial means to
dimethyl sulfoxide, (DMSO), which has several important solvent properties.
The largest single commercial producer of DMS in the world is Gaylord Chemical Corporation, which is a significant economic component of the paper industry of
Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Safety
Dimethyl sulfide is
flammable and an
irritant. Dimethyl sulfide has an unpleasant odor at even extremely low concentrations.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Dimethyl Sulfide'.
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