Question

N2O4  Catalyzed oxidation of Dimethyl sulfide in vapor phase to Dimethyl sulfoxide is an explosive reaction. Is the statement true/false?

(a) True

(b) False

The question was posed to me in an internship interview.

Question is from Natural Products topic in division Natural Products of Chemical Technology

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) True

For explanation I would say: The statement is true, hence to avoid explosion Dimethyl sulfide in Dimethyl sulfoxide solution is oxidized in liquid phase in presence of mixture of nitrogen monoxide and oxygen. Due to presence of excess DMSO process is controlled.