Oxidation to dimethyl sulfoxide

Through reaction with sulfide or elemental sulfur at 215°C, lignosulfonates can also be used in the commercial production of dimethyl sulfide and methyl mercaptan (77). Dimethyl sulfide produced in the reaction is further oxidized to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a useful industrial solvent (see Sulfoxides). 

Methylthiomethyl (MTM) ethers. These ethers (h, 109-lltY) ear he prepared by reaction of alcohols with dimethyl sulfide (8 equiv.) and dibenzoyl peroxide (4 equiv.) in CH3CN at 0° (75-90% yield). Excess dimethyl sulfide is required since some of the sulfide is oxidized to dimethyl sulfoxide. 

---