[Fresco]

Is it safe to heat DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) up to 100 degrees Celsius in an oven??
Or will it catch fire or explode??

[billnotgatez]

A resource to aid in the discussion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_sulfoxide

[Fresco]

A resource to aid in the discussion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_sulfoxide

It has a high boiling point of 189 °C (372 °F), so it should be perfectly safe to heat up to 100 Celsius, am I right??

[Dan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_point

Why do you want to heat DMSO to 100 °C in an oven?

[Fresco]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_point

Why do you want to heat DMSO to 100 °C in an oven?

To dissolve feather keratin: http://euacademic.org/UploadArticle/1325.pdf

I'm going to start with just a little amount, probably no more than 50ML



.

[Dan]

I would use a hot plate and make sure there is adequate ventilation (fume hood).

An oven full of DMSO fumes above flash point is not safe. You could used a sealed vessel (provided the vessel can handle the pressure increase).

[Fresco]

I would use a hot plate and make sure there is adequate ventilation (fume hood).

An oven full of DMSO fumes above flash point is not safe. You could used a sealed vessel (provided the vessel can handle the pressure increase

Dan, I was thinking the same thing actually.  Its just a regular kitchen oven, so no fume hood.

Could I not just heat up the DMSO liquid on a regular stove and keep the temperature around 100C.
Since its boiling point is much higher evaporation should be minimal, should it not??

[billnotgatez]

Another possible link that may be helpful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_sulfoxide_%28data_page%29#Vapor_pressure_of_liquid

What about a double boiler on top of a stove with a hood?

Actually, I do most of my home chemistry away from the kitchen, except for cooking food.

[Fresco]

I have 2 fire extinguishers ready just in case 

[billnotgatez]

Sorry to be so obtuse with just posting links, but I thought you might be able to determine how much DMSO would become vapor based on those links. I get the feeling that you think your process has minimal toxic and explosive possibilities, but the links I gave you might indicate other factors that you might consider. For instance DMSO works very well to transport chemicals dissolved in it across the skin barrier of your body. I am not sure what a vapor environment containing DMSO would do, but I was hoping you would do good research using the links I have posted and the links within the links.
Not knowing what your goal is for your process of putting DMSO in the oven at 100C hampers our advice as well. I am not sure that the average oven will hold a precise temperature as well.

Of course we are cautious here since we have several stories of people doing something using the kitchen which seemed harmless turning out to be catastrophic.  I would feel better if you said the stove was outdoors, plus the fire extinguishers.

[billnotgatez]

A couple more thoughts

If you are trying to remove water from the DMSO via this oven cooking method you might want to look at the links provided.

Concentrated DMSO can be a much greater irritant if you get it on your skin.

[Fresco]

Okay, so I tried it this morning.  I used 99% DMSO liquid. It starts to smoke quite badly, so I took it off the stove right away cause I dont know whats in those fumes   

[billnotgatez]

This has gone on long enough

You got to tell us what your source of DMSO is and what is your goal.
The guessing game has to stop.
If what you are doing violates forum rules of discussion let me know via PM and I will lock the thread
or find a reasonable method to continue discussion.

[Fresco]

This has gone on long enough

You got to tell us what your source of DMSO is and what is your goal.
The guessing game has to stop.
If what you are doing violates forum rules of discussion let me know via PM and I will lock the thread
or find a reasonable method to continue discussion

Bill, it wasnt my intention to break forum rules.  Sorry if my thread came across that way.

I'm attempting to solubilize keratin, which isnt easy because keratin is one of the hardest natural substances known to man. I figured I'd start with chicken feathers first, see how that works and try wool keratin next.

Reason why I'm attempting all this is because my wife owns a chain of hair salons and see wants to come out with her own line of hair shampoos and conditioners.

Joico uses hydrolyzed human hair (not wool) in all their products, FYI.

The problem with using acids to break disulphide bonds of keratin is you degrade the product to the point where it becomes useless if you dont do it right.  Thats why its such a difficult process