ADVERTORIAL
Is all DMSO the same? Why quality, sustainability and security matter more than ever
How IMCD and gChem are redefining solvent performance through greener production, supply-chain resilience and application-driven technical expertise
Dimethylsulfoxide( DMSO) is widely recognised as a green solvent, valued for its low toxicity, inherent biodegradability and exceptional solvency for many poorly soluble compounds. Classified as a Class 3 solvent under ICH Q3C, it offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional aprotic solvents such as N, N- Dimethylformamide( DMF) and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone( NMP). But as demand grows and sustainability expectations rise, one important question remains: is all DMSO the same?
For more than 25 years, IMCD and gChem have partnered to deliver consistently high-quality and reliable DMSO to the European market. Produced at gChem’ s highly automated facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this DMSO benefits from on-purpose production and optimised manufacturing designed to minimise environmental impact.
As customers pursue increasingly ambitious sustainability goals, gChem’ s commitment to lowering the carbon footprint of its DMSO reinforces their position as a global market leader. Major investment in backintegration has reduced reliance on imported raw materials, reinforcing supply security in a volatile global market. At the same time, the upcycling of hydrogen sulfide( a toxic refinery by-product) into DMS and ultimately DMSO removes harmful pollutants from the environment, turning an industrial waste stream into a valuable, sustainable solvent.
IMCD shares this commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing. As a member of the Together for Sustainability( TfS) initiative and an EcoVadis platinumrated organisation, ESG principles are embedded across IMCD’ s operations. DMSO plays a central role in IMCD’ s Greener Solutions programme, where technical experts help customers identify safer, more sustainable alternatives to solvents associated with higher health or environmental concerns, while offering application-focused, balanced guidance.
This collaborative approach is increasingly relevant as regulatory scrutiny intensifies around carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive( CMR)-classified aprotic solvents such as DMF, NMP and dimethylacetamide( DMAc). DMSO has shown strong performance across demanding chemistries, including nucleophilic aromatic substitution( SNAr) and Ullmann coupling reactions.
DMSO is now gaining traction as a viable alternative to DMF in solid-phase peptide synthesis( SPPS), particularly as a binary solvent partner with 2-Methyl Tetrahydrofuran( 2-MeTHF) or ethyl acetate. It is also a key co-solvent in Molecular Hiving * technology, supporting tagassisted liquid-phase peptide synthesis( LPPS). Developed by Professor Kazuhiro Chiba, LPPS offers a more sustainable and cost-efficient route to high-purity peptides, enabling shorter production cycles while reducing the use of hazardous CMR-classified solvents by up to 60 %. IMCD reinforces this technical expertise with dependable regional supply, holding local inventory tailored to customer needs. Together, IMCD and gChem demonstrate how thoughtful solvent selection— delivering performance, resilience, and lower Scope 3 emissions— proves that“ success is one molecule away”.
To explore how DMSO is enabling more sustainable peptide and API synthesis, secure a seminar by scanning the QR code. ●
*- Molecular Hiving is a trademark of Jitsubow
For further information MAR / APR 2026 SPECCHEMONLINE. COM
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