Dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) is a colorless liquid derived as a by-product from wood pulp in the production of paper. It found immediate application as a polar, aprotic solvent miscible with water and able to dissolve an enormous catalog of polar and nonpolar small molecules.

About lewis structure

Lewis Structures, also called Electron Dot Structures, are important to learn because they help us understand how atoms and electrons are arranged in a molecule, such as dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO). This can help us determine the molecular geometry, how the molecule might react with other molecules, and some of the physical properties of the molecule (like boiling point and surface tension).

lewis structure setup

Step 1: Identify the Central Atom: Sulfur (S) is the central atom in Dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) because it's less electronegative than oxygen (O).

Step 2: Calculate Total Valence Electrons:Sulfur contributes 6 valence electrons,, each carbon contributes 4 valence electrons, each oxygen contributes 6 valence electrons, each hydrogen contributes 1 valence electron, giving a total of 6 + 6 + (2 × 4) + (6 × 1) = 26 valence electrons.

Step 3: Arrange Electrons Around Atoms: Connect each methyl group to the central sulfur atom with a single bond (line) and distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs around each atom. Ensure each carbon atom has 4 valence electrons and each hydrogen atom has 1 valence electron.

Step 4: Fulfill the Octet Rule: Ensure each carbon atom has 8 electrons (2 lone pairs and 2 bonding pairs), each hydrogen atom has 2 electrons (1 lone pair and 1 bonding pair), and the sulfur atom has 6 electrons (2 lone pairs and 4 bonding pairs).

Step 5: Check for Formal Charges: Formal charges may not be necessary as all atoms have achieved the octet rule.