Colorless clear Liquid Tetramethylene Sulfone Sulfolane CAS 126-33-0

Aromatic extraction constitutes the primary application field for sulfolane. In the petroleum refining industry, sulfolane is frequently employed as an extraction solvent to recover benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) from catalytic reformate or cracked gasoline. By leveraging sulfolane’s high solubility for aromatics—and conversely, its low solubility for non-aromatics (aliphatic and naphthenic hydrocarbons)—aromatics can be efficiently separated from complex hydrocarbon mixtures through a liquid-liquid extraction process. The Sulfolane Aromatic Extraction (SAE) process developed by Sinopec is characterized by high product purity, high yield, and strong adaptability, and it is widely utilized in domestic refineries.

Sulfolane also serves as a key solvent in the purification of natural gas and synthesis gas. It is often used in combination with diisopropanolamine (DIPA) or methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) to form the “Sulfolane-Amine” desulfurization process. This method capitalizes on sulfolane’s high solubility for acidic gases (such as H₂S and CO₂) alongside the chemical absorption capabilities of amines; this dual action enables the efficient removal of acidic components from gas streams, thereby meeting the stringent industrial requirements for purified gases.

In the fields of fine chemicals and organic synthesis, sulfolane frequently functions as a reaction medium or solvent. Due to its high polarity, high boiling point, and excellent thermal stability, it facilitates a variety of reactions—including Friedel-Crafts acylation, halogen exchange, oxidation, and nitration—thereby enhancing reaction rates and product yields. Furthermore, sulfolane can serve as a solvent for polymers or as a spinning solvent in the production of materials such as polyacrylonitrile and polyvinyl chloride, contributing to improved fiber properties.