Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a widely used solvent that is miscible with water and a variety of organic solvents. It goes by several names, including methylsulfoxide, sulfinyl dimethane and dozens of trade names. DMSO was first discovered in the late 19th century as a byproduct of the craft paper process used to make paper from wood pulp. Around the same time, Russian chemist AlexanderZaytsev synthesized it by oxidizing dimethyl sulfide, another byproduct of the craft paper process. The synthesis of Zaytsev was the basis for the manufacturing process still in use today. DMSO is a laboratory and industrial solvent for many gases, synthetic fibers, paints, hydrocarbons, salts, and natural products. Because it is aprotic, relatively inert, non-toxic, and stable at high temperatures, it is a common solvent for chemical reactions. Its deuterated form is an ideal solvent for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the 1960s, scientists observed that DMSO penetrated…