Oxidation of dimethyl sulfide to dimethyl sulfoxide in liquefied petroleumgas prior to piezoelectric crystal detection

A selective oxidation method was developed for the conversion and determina tion of the stenching agent dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in liquefied petroleum g as (LPG). The conversion efficiencies of three oxidising agents, sodium per iodate, manganese(rv) oxide and Caro's acid (potassium monopersulfate tripl e salt), were evaluated by GC-FID and squalane coated piezoelectric crystal monitoring. Sodium periodate and manganese(IV) oxide converted 100 and 200 ppm of DMS to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at ambient temperature in gaseous butane with 24-32% efficiency. Caro's acid converted DMS to dimethyl sulfon e (DMSO2) with 20-31% efficiency in the same medium. The technique demonstr ates the potential of these reagents for the determination of DMS in LPG.