Sulfolane

CAS 126-33-0

Sulfolane (CAS 126-33-0) illustrates how molecular structure determines chemical role. Sulfolane is a highly polar, aprotic cyclic sulfone with an unusual combination of high boiling point, thermal stability, and compatibility with both water and many organic materials. PubChem describes it as a colorless liquid boiling near 285 °C and notes its major role as an industrial solvent, especially in selective extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from refinery streams and in acid-gas purification. Industrial manufacture proceeds from butadiene and sulfur dioxide through sulfolene, followed by hydrogenation. Sulfolane's strong polarity helps dissolve polarizable aromatic compounds, while its low volatility reduces solvent losses at operating temperatures. These properties made it a classic process solvent in petroleum and petrochemical separations, although releases to groundwater have also made environmental monitoring and remediation important.