Sulfolane[2]
Overview
Sulfolane is a cyclic sulfone with the molecular formula C4H8O2S, first commercialized in the 1960s. Its unique combination of high polarity, thermal stability (up to 285°C), and water solubility makes it indispensable in industrial processes. The compound is synthesized via oxidation of thiophene or hydrogenation of sulfolene. As a non-corrosive solvent, sulfolane meets stringent environmental and safety regulations, outperforming traditional solvents like NMP in many applications. Its global market is driven by demand in natural gas purification and electronics manufacturing.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Sulfolane exhibits a density of 1.26 g/cm³ and melts at 27.4°C, existing as a liquid at room temperature. Its high boiling point (285°C) and flash point (177°C) enable use in high-temperature processes. The compound is fully miscible with water, alcohols, and hydrocarbons, facilitating formulation flexibility. Key chemical properties include resistance to oxidation and reduction, stability under acidic/alkaline conditions, and low reactivity with metals. Its dipole moment of 4.7 D enhances solvation power for polar compounds, while its Hansen solubility parameters (δD=18.2, δP=16.0, δH=10.2) predict compatibility with resins and polymers.
Main Applications
Approximately 70% of sulfolane production is used in gas treating, particularly for removing H2S and CO2 from natural gas via the Sulfinol® process. In pharmaceuticals, it serves as a reaction medium for APIs requiring polar aprotic conditions. The electronics industry utilizes ultra-pure sulfolane (≥99.9%) for photoresist stripping and PCB cleaning. Emerging applications include lithium-ion battery electrolytes and agrochemical formulations. Its low toxicity profile has prompted substitution of more hazardous solvents in coatings and adhesives.
Safety and Storage
Sulfolane requires standard chemical handling precautions – wear nitrile gloves and goggles to prevent skin/eye irritation. Although not flammable, its autoignition temperature is 390°C, necessitating avoidance of high-temperature ignition sources. Storage recommendations include polyethylene or stainless steel containers, with nitrogen blanketing for extended shelf life. Spills should be contained using absorbent materials like vermiculite. Waste disposal must comply with local regulations, typically through licensed incineration facilities.
B2B Procurement Guide
Industrial buyers should specify technical grade (≥99%) or electronic grade (≥99.9%) based on application needs. Bulk shipments (ISO tanks or 200L drums) offer 10-15% cost savings versus small packaging. Key supplier qualifications include REACH registration and ISO 9001 certification. Regional price variations occur due to transportation costs – Asian suppliers dominate production, but European/North American distributors provide faster delivery. Request batch analysis certificates for critical parameters like water content (<0.1%) and residual sulfolene levels.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：二甲苯、d40溶剂、苯甲醇、甲基叔丁基醚、白电油、石脑油、清洗剂、水溶肥、d60工业、稀释剂、溶剂油、正丁醇、正辛醇、桶装甲醇、单乙醇胺、辛醇、航空煤油、正辛烷、异丙醇、硫酸钙晶须、正己烷、正庚烷、石油醚
- 主营：架桥剂、YW100 锂萃取剂、端羧基液体丁腈橡胶、环丁砜、10-羟基癸酸、苯乙烯磷酸、肉豆蔻酸镁、硬脂酸钴、全氟三丁胺、乙烯基磷酸二乙酯、磷酸锰铁锂、β-磷酸三钙、十一烯酸、钨酸铝、1-乙炔基环已醇、间二异丙苯、锂硅合金、溴甲酚绿、生物活性玻璃、溴代海因树脂颗粒、红铝、龙涎酮、原丁酸三甲酯
- 主营：离子液体、咪唑、催化剂、5-二甲基吡唑、四氟硼酸锂、阻燃剂、正丁醇锆、香兰基丁醚、氟化物、全氟辛基三甲氧基硅烷、丙酮肟、双酚E型氰酸酯、叔丁基乙烯基醚、钯碳催化剂、钛硅分子筛、硫酸烟酰苯胺、丙酮缩氨基硫脲
- 主营：化学品、香精香料、试剂、环丁砜、中间体、有机硅、橡胶树脂、催化剂、纳米材料
- 主营：三甘醇、五氧化二钒、纯牛骨蛋白胨、二甲基二硫代氨基甲酸、四氧化三铅、牛油脂肪酸、氯偏乳液、苄基胂酸、漂粉精、苯甲醇、草酸镍、磷酸、六氟磷酸钾、次氯酸钙、钯碳、草酸钛钾、粘土固化剂、福美钠、戊二醛、碳酸钡、硝酸异辛酯、氯化锌、松醇油、磺化油、氟化氢钾
- 主营：碘化钾、剂原料、王浆酸、甲基磺酸、肉桂酸、特戊醛、氰酸钠、己二酸、黄原胶、麝香105、还原红41、辛酸乙酯、油胺原料、柠檬酸钠、癸醛原料、化工原料、丙酸苄酯、异丙碘胺、双盐酸肼、碘类原料、有机化工、胍基乙酸、环保原料、防腐原料、苦精原料
- 主营：三氯乙烯、碳酸二甲酯、乙二醇丁醚、四氯乙烯、二甲基亚砜、甲基环己烷、甲基丙烯酸甲酯、偶氮二异丁腈、二甲苯、醋酸丁酯、亚氯酸钠、戊二醛、醋酸甲酯、过硫酸铵、过硫酸钠、醋酸乙酯、盐酸羟胺、顺酐、乙二醇甲醚、乙醇、二氯甲烷、二价酸酯、环己酮、丙烯酸丁酯、冰醋酸
- 主营：叔碳酸、十八醛、溶菌酶、2-甲基丁醛、丁烷四乙酸、海藻糖、癸二醇、氨基丙基、氢路噻嗪、邻苯二甲、乙基碳二、羟基癸酸、正十七烷、谷胱甘肽、烷二甲醇、松果体素、vc磷酸酯镁、朱栾倍半萜、表面活性剂、癸烷撑二醇、缩水甘油邻、10-羟基羊蜡酸、氢氯噻嗪杂质、盐酸邻菲罗啉、壳聚糖季铵盐
- 主营：对甲苯磺酸、表面活性剂、农药乳化剂、二甲基亚砜、甲基丙烯酰胺、环氧树脂固化剂
- 主营：氧化剂、稀释剂、氧化钙、2-甲基萘、氟化钡、甲酸钠、对氯苯酚、氢氧化铋、对溴甲苯、高碘酸钠、氟硅酸铵、氢氧化钡、硫氰酸钾、对氯甲苯、二氯甲烷、氟化氢铵、橡胶防老剂、药物中间体、三正丙基胺、多乙烯多胺、电镀添加剂、尼泊金乙酯、邻氨基苯酚、食品保存剂、对甲苯磺酰氯
- 主营：表面活性剂、二乙二醇丁醚、树脂油墨涂料、环丁砜、气相色谱固定液、黄丹粉、红丹粉、丁二腈、氢氧化锂、钼酸铵、亚氯酸钠、磺酰氯、氯化铵、氟化钾、氟化钠、聚磷酸铵、三氧化铬
- 主营：黄血盐钾、黄血盐钠、氟化钾、聚六亚甲基胍盐酸盐、氟化钠、氟硅酸铵、水杨酸钠、黄丹粉、九水硫化钠、红丹粉、氢氧化钡、氧化铋、对甲苯磺酸、二氧化硒、三硫代碳酸钠、醋酸铅、氯化铅、还原铁粉、碱式碳酸铅、次磷酸、对二氯苄
- 主营：碳酸铵、染色助剂、铁氰化钾、环丁砜、西曲溴铵、2-丙二醇、4-二甲氨基吡啶、N-丁基苯磺酰胺、聚乙烯醇缩丁醛、苯扎氯铵、间苯二甲酸、对羟基苯甲酸、氧化铅、黄血盐钾、氟化钾、氟硅酸铵、九水硫化钠、硫化钡、硫氰酸钠、过氧化苯甲酰、偶氮二异丁腈、铁粉、巯基乙酸、异丙醇铝、对甲苯磺酸钠、乙醛肟
- 主营：甜菊糖、氯乙酰、二乙苯、环丁砜、酞菁绿、阻燃剂、4316-73-8、二戊烯、单甲醚、硫酸锂、4861-19-2、大理石、1192-62-7、羊脂酸、7783-40-6、磷酸氢、8002-74-2、7782-61-8、龙脑油、2842-44-6、聚甘油、二聚酸、戊二醇、聚醚f68、磺化油、1310-58-3
- 主营：DMF、DMAC、二丙酮醇、四甲基胍、四氢呋喃、马来酸酐、丙二醇、乙二醇、甲酸、甲醇、十二醇、柠檬酸、己二醇、甘油、碳酸丙烯酯、吐温、无水氯化钙、乙酸乙酯、氢氧化钠、二乙醇胺、司盘、过硫酸钠、氧化钙、氯化钾