METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF DIMETHYL SULFONE BY OXIDATION OF A METHANOL BASED MEDIUM OBTAINED FROM A SULFATE CELLULOSE PROCESS

摘要

The invention relates to a method for making dimethyl sulfone. According to the invention, dimethyl sulfone is manufactured by oxidation from dimethyl sulfide in a methanol-based medium. Methanol is removed during and/or after the oxidation by distillation, water vapor distillation or evaporation, and finally dimethyl sulfone is crystallized from a water-based solution phase. The starting material for the production process can be a liquefied fraction obtained from a sulfate pulp process, the fraction containing methanol and dimethyl sulfide, whereby the process produces not only dimethyl sulfone but also purified methanol. The invention covers also the use of dimethyl sulfone, produced according to the method, in an orally ingested health formulation or in an externally used therapeutic formulation, such as a skin cream.