Dimethyl Sulfoxide Complexes Research Articles

Host-guest charge transfer for scalable single crystal epitaxy of a metal-organic framework

Methods to grow large crystals provide the foundation for material science and technology. Here we demonstrate single crystal homoepitaxy of a metal-organic framework (MOF) built of zinc, acetate and terephthalate ions, that encapsulate arrays of octahedral zinc dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) complex cations within its one-dimensional (1D) channels. The three-dimensional framework is built of two-dimensional Zn-terephthalate square lattices interconnected by anionic acetate pillars through diatomic zinc nodes. The charge of the anionic framework is neutralized by the 1D arrays of Zn(DMSO)62+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${{\\rm{Zn}}}{({{\\rm{DMSO}}})}_{6}^{2+}$$\\end{document} cations that fill every second 1D channel of the framework. It is demonstrated that the repeatable and scalable epitaxy allows square cuboids of this charge-transfer MOF to grow stepwise to sizes in the centimeter range. The continuous growth with no size limits can be attributed to the ionic nature of the anionic framework with cationic 1D molecular fillers. These findings pave the way for epitaxial growth of bulk crystals of MOFs.

Molecular behavior of 1-acetoxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and DMSO binary system

Ester-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) are widely applied in electrochemistry, separation, reduction and extraction, but there are few basic researches on them. This study investigates the hydrogen bonding interactions between the ester-functionalized ILs and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), as well as compares it to the ethyl acetate–DMSO (CH3COOCH2CH3–DMSO) system. Experimental and quantum chemical calculation sections were employed for this purpose. The results demonstrate that: (1) The hydrogen bonding interactions in the 1-acetoxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (AOMMIMBF4–DMSO) and 1-acetoxyethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (AOEMIMBF4–DMSO) systems are stronger than that in CH3COOCH2CH3–DMSO system. (2) AOMMIMBF4–DMSO and AOEMIMBF4–DMSO systems exhibit comparable interaction strengths. (3) The complexes were identified by the excess spectra and quantum chemical calculations, which are 2AOMMIMBF4, 2AOMMIMBF4–DMSO, AOMMIMBF4–DMSO and [AOMMIM]+−DMSO complexes, respectively. This study enhances understanding of hydrogen bonding interactions between ester-functionalized IL and DMSO, and provides a theoretical basis for further applications of ester-functionalized ILs.

Bimodal Crystal Growth of Perovskite from a Lead Bromide–Dimethyl Sulfoxide Complex Precursor for Highly Bright and All-Solution-Processed Light-Emitting Diodes

Bimodal Crystal Growth of Perovskite from a Lead Bromide–Dimethyl Sulfoxide Complex Precursor for Highly Bright and All-Solution-Processed Light-Emitting Diodes

Review of Solvation Studies of Copper (1) Complexes in Different Solvents and at Different Temperatures

The study of the solvation behavior of copper (1) complexes in the mixed solvents has generated a great interest in the field of chemistry. Copper complexes have attracted wide attention due to their important role in analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, metallurgy and medicines etc. Nevertheless, during recent years there has been an increasing interest in the behavior of copper (1) complexes in aqueous and non-aqueous solvents with a view to investigate ion-ion and ion solvent or solute solute interactions under varied conditions. The solvation behavior of some copper(I) perchlorate complexes in binary mixtures of dimethylsulfoxide with dimethylacetamide and dimethylformamide at 298k, and Some Copper(I) Nitrate Complexes in Dimethylsulfoxide and Nitromethane at 298 K and copper sulfate have been measured in binary mixtures of aqueous–methanol mixtures at different temperatures is studied by a combined approach using Molar conductance, ultrasonic velocity and density data, or limiting molar conductance (Λ0), the association constants (KA) respectively . This study is a condensed version of earlier work in the same fields. Keywords: solvation, Molar conductance, Copper sulfate, copper(I) perchlorate

Inquiring 199Hg NMR Parameters by Combining Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics and Relativistic NMR Calculations.

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) sampling followed by relativistic density functional theory (DFT) 199Hg NMR calculations were performed for Hg organometallic complexes in water, dimethyl sulfoxide, and chloroform. The spin-orbit coupling, a relativistic effect, is a key factor for predicting δ(Hg) and 1J(Hg-C) accurately, in conjunction with a dynamic treatment of the systems. Good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results is reached by adopting implicit (based on a continuum model) and explicit (solvent molecules treated quantum mechanically) solvation models. Broader trends appearing in the experimental data available in the literature are reproduced by the calculations, and therefore, quantum chemistry is able to assist in the assignment and interpretation of 199Hg NMR data. Less pronounced trends, such as changes in the 199Hg chemical shift in different systems with the same atom types bound to Hg, are too weak to be predicted reliably by the current state-of-the-art theoretical methods based on AIMD sampling and relativistic DFT with hybrid functionals for NMR calculations.

Colour/luminescence changes of transition metal complexes induced by gaseous small molecules for monitoring reaction progress and environmental changes.

Transition metal complexes act as monitoring devices for reaction progress and environmental changes through their color/luminescence changes. In this paper, we focus on colour/luminescence changes induced by gaseous small molecules in the environment. The gradual decrease in O2 content in solution can be monitored by the luminescence enhancement of an Ir(III) complex in dimethyl sulfoxide during photoirradiation. CO2 in air can be captured by a Pt(II) complex in basic aqueous solution, resulting in a colour change from yellow to red to blue-green due to higher degree aggregate formation. Moisture in air induces colour/luminescence changes in Ru(II) and Ir(III) complex salts due to the sorption of H2O into hydrophilic channels in the crystal. Volatile organic compound vapours such as CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 change the purple colour of Pt(II) complex crystals to red and blue, respectively. The purple crystal can adsorb two CHCl3 molecules under ambient conditions but only one CH2Cl2 molecule.

Lanthanide complexes with an azo-dye chromophore ligand: syntheses, crystal structures, and near-infrared luminescence by long-wavelength excitation.

Near-infrared (NIR) emissive probes are becoming increasingly popular in biological sensing and imaging due to the advantages of non-invasiveness and deep tissue-penetrating ability. Herein, a series of complexes of trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln = Yb, Er, and Gd) with the commercially available azo dye chromophore 2R (Na2H2C2R) as ligand and featuring respectively H2O and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as ancillary ligands have been prepared. Formulated as [Ln2(HC2R)2(H2O)10]·8H2O (1-3, Ln = Yb, Er, Gd) and [Ln2(HC2R)2(DMSO)10]·2DMSO (4-6, Ln = Yb, Er, Gd), their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Photophysical property studies revealed NIR emissions of the DMSO complexes characteristic of Yb(III) and Er(III), effectively sensitized by the dye ligand arising mainly from the π-π* transition of the chromophore. The long-wavelength excitation of the complexes, covering the whole visible-light range and extending into the NIR region, portends the potential applications of such complexes for flexible bioimaging and sensing.

Exploring the copper(II) coordination to 2′-hydroxy-4-benzyloxychalcone analogues and their potential pharmacological applications

Chalcones are chemical precursors of flavonoids and exhibit a variety of biological properties, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-malarial activities. According to the literature, different transition metal complexes of chalcones exhibit antitumor and antibacterial properties. Herein we report the synthesis, characterization, and the in vitro evaluation of antileishmanial, antiproliferative, and antiviral activities of novel copper(II)-2′-hydroxy-4-benzyloxychalcone complexes. Two of the complexes (1 and 2) had the formula [Cu(L)2], and the other two (3 and 4) were characterized as [Cu(L)(phen)Cl], where L is the deprotonated form of the 2′-hydroxy-4-benzyloxychalcones (HL1, is a fluorine substituted analog of HL2) and phen is 1,10- phenanthroline. Structures resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that complexes 3 and 4 had a distorted square pyramid geometry, with chloride at the apical position. The stability of the complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide showed a significant variation. A wide range of ligand exchange kinetics was observed in the solution, influenced by chalcone fluorination and the presence of phenanthroline. Potential pharmacological applications were evaluated using in vitro assays for anti-proliferative, leishmanicidal, and antiviral activities. Complexes 1 and 3 showed cytostatic effects against the human breast tumor cell line (MCF-7, GI50 = 4.6 and 1.0 µM, respectively) that could be attributed to the free ligand HL1 (MCF-7, GI50 = 1.16 µM). Moreover, complex 1 showed higher selectivity to MCF-7 cells in comparison to murine immortalized 3T3 cells (GI50 > 100 µM). Complex 2 was inactive and toxic while complex 4 showed an unspecific cytostatic effect. Despite a weak leishmanicidal activity, at 25 µM, complex 3 inhibited (85,1 %) the SARS-CoV-2 replication at 2 µM. As complex 4 also showed good antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (84,7 %), the antiviral activity seems to be related to copper(II)-phenanthroline fragment. This work demonstrates how simple changes in the structure of the ligand affect ligand exchange reactions and, consequently biological activity. It also expands the biological applications of Cu(II) chalcone complexes.

Formation of Hydrogen Bonds and Vibrational Processes in Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Its Aqueous Solutions: Raman Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Calculations

The intermolecular interaction in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is a strong solvent, and its manifestation in vibrational spectra are studied by means of Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. The optimal structure and vibrational spectra of DMSO monomer, dimer, and trimer, as well as complexes of DMSO with water molecules, are calculated, and the potential energy distribution (PED) analysis is carried out. In the Raman spectra of DMSO and its water solutions, a red shift of the S=O stretching band due to the conventional hydrogen bonding and a blue shift of the C–H stretching band due to non-classical hydrogen bonding are detected. The MEP surfaces (changes in the charge distribution) of DMSO monomer, dimer, and DMSO–water cluster are plotted.

First Iridium(IV) Chloride-Dimethyl Sulfoxide Complex [H(dmso)2][IrCl5(dmso-κO)]: Synthesis and Structure along with Novel Polymorph Modifications of [H(dmso)2][trans-IrCl4(dmso-κS)2] and [H(dmso)][trans-IrCl4(dmso-κS)2

As evidenced by UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopies, the reaction of H2IrCl6·6H2O or Na2[IrCl6]·nH2O with DMSO results in a slow reduction of Ir(IV) avoiding the formation of Ir(IV) dimethyl sulfoxide complexes in measurable quantities. More specifically, we successfully isolated and solved the crystal structure of a sodium hexachloridoiridate(III), Na3[IrCl6]·2H2O, as a product of Na2[IrCl6]·nH2O reduction in an acetone solution. Furthermore, it was shown that [IrCl5(Me2CO)]- species is gradually formed in an acetone solution of H2IrCl6·6H2O upon storage. The reaction of DMSO with aged acetone solution of H2IrCl6·6H2O dominated by [IrCl5(Me2CO)]- affords a novel iridium(IV) chloride-dimethyl sulfoxide salt [H(dmso)2][IrCl5(dmso-κO)] (1). The compound was characterized by various spectroscopies (IR, EPR, UV-Vis) and X-ray diffraction techniques applied both to single-crystal and polycrystalline powder. The DMSO ligand is coordinated to the iridium site via the oxygen atom. New polymorph modifications of known iridium(III) complexes [H(dmso)2][trans-IrCl4(dmso-κS)2] and [H(dmso)][trans-IrCl4(dmso-κS)2] were isolated and structurally elucidated as byproducts of the above reaction.

Solvent Coordination Effect on Copper-Based Molecular Catalysts for Controlled Radical Polymerization

The equilibrium of copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization was investigated in silico with the aim of finding an explanation for the experimentally observed solvent effect. Various combinations of alkyl halide initiators and copper complexes in acetonitrile (MeCN) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were taken into consideration. A continuum model for solvation, which does not account for the explicit interactions between the solvent and metal complex, is not adequate and does not allow the reproduction of the experimental trend. However, when the solvent molecules are included in the coordination sphere of the copper(I,II) species and the continuum description of the medium is still used, a solvent dependence of process thermodynamics emerges, in fair agreement with experimental trends.

Complex Additive‐Assisted Crystal Growth and Phase Stabilization of α‐FAPbI3 Film for Highly Efficient, Air‐Stable Perovskite Photovoltaics

AbstractSolution‐processed formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite is entropically metastable, and it exhibits condition‐induced crystal polymorphism. Under an ambient atmosphere, the photoactive black α‐FAPbI3 converts easily to photoinactive yellow δ‐FAPbI3. This α → δ phase degradation is further accelerated upon exposure to high temperature/humidity, directly threatening the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, cesium iodide‐lead iodide:dimethyl sulfoxide (CsI‐PbI2:DMSO) complex is introduced as a phase stabilizer to modulate the crystallization of α‐FAPbI3 perovskite from δ‐FAPbI3 precursor and simultaneously, serve as a defect passivator to suppress trap states formation. Theoretical simulations and experimental results reveal the pivotal role of complex additive in optimizing the energy band alignment and optoelectronic properties of α‐FAPbI3 perovskite and most importantly, hindering the α → δ phase transition. The best PSC device based on the additive‐engineered perovskite film achieves an efficiency of ≈21.9%, which is ≈11% higher than that of its pristine counterpart (≈19.8%). In addition, the incorporation of CsI‐PbI2:DMSO complex remarkably enhances the long‐term stability and photostability of the PSCs by inhibiting ion migrations and preserving the α‐phase in FAPbI3 perovskite. The additive engineering presented herein offers a route to produce FAPbI3‐based PSCs with improved performance, stability, and reproducibility.

Identification of Platinum(II) Sulfide Complexes Suitable as Intramuscular Cyanide Countermeasures.

The development of rapidly acting cyanide countermeasures using intramuscular injection (IM) represents an unmet medical need to mitigate toxicant exposures in mass casualty settings. Previous work established that cisplatin and other platinum(II) or platinum(IV)-based agents effectively mitigate cyanide toxicity in zebrafish. Cyanide's in vivo reaction with platinum-containing materials was proposed to reduce the risk of acute toxicities. However, cyanide antidote activity depended on a formulation of platinum-chloride salts with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) followed by dilution in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). A working hypothesis to explain the DMSO requirement is that the formation of platinum-sulfoxide complexes activates the cyanide scavenging properties of platinum. Preparations of isolated NaPtCl5-DMSO and Na (NH3)2PtCl-DMSO complexes in the absence of excess DMSO provided agents with enhanced reactivity toward cyanide in vitro and fully recapitulated in vivo cyanide rescue in zebrafish and mouse models. The enhancement of the cyanide scavenging effects of the DMSO ligand could be attributed to the activation of platinum(IV) and (II) with a sulfur ligand. Unfortunately, the efficacy of DMSO complexes was not robust when administered IM. Alternative Pt(II) materials containing sulfide and amine ligands in bidentate complexes show enhanced reactivity toward cyanide addition. The cyanide addition products yielded tetracyanoplatinate(II), translating to a stoichiometry of 1:4 Pt to each cyanide scavenger. These new agents demonstrate a robust and enhanced potency over the DMSO-containing complexes using IM administration in mouse and rabbit models of cyanide toxicity. Using the zebrafish model with these Pt(II) complexes, no acute cardiotoxicity was detected, and dose levels required to reach lethality exceeded 100 times the effective dose. Data are presented to support a general chemical design approach that can expand a new lead candidate series for developing next-generation cyanide countermeasures.

Structural and spectroscopic studies of Na+ – Quercetin-5′-sulfonic acid polymeric complexes obtained via solvothermal synthesis

New sodium complexes of quercetin-5′-sulfonic acid (HQSA) have been obtained. The aqua complex of the general formula [NaQSA∙(H2O)2]·2H2O (1) was a starting compound for solvothermal syntheses of acetone and dimethylsulfoxide (S) complexes: [NaQSA(S)](S) (2 – acetone) and [NaQSA(S)]∙2(S) (3a and 3b – DMSO). The fourth complex obtained from the reaction of HQSA excess used in the reaction with NaOH is [Na(QSA)2·2H2O][(EtOH)2H] (4). The molecular and crystal structures of 1 – 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The sodium cations are coordinated by six or seven oxygen atoms; Na+ coordinating groups are sulfonic, hydroxyl, and carbonyl of the QSA− anion. The bridging role of some functional groups causes the formation of polymeric complexes. The coordination spheres are completed by oxygen atoms from the coordinating water (in 1 and 4), acetone (2) or DMSO molecule (3a and 3b). In each structure non-coordinating interstitial solvate molecules are also present; they are two H2O (1), acetone (2), two DMSO (3a and 3b), and the hydrogen bisethanol cation [EtOH…H+…EtOH] (4). The last of these is a rare type of Zundel type cation. Unstable complexes (2 and 3), that decompose under normal conditions, are formed and they have a structure of intercalation clathrates. The solvating molecules, located between 1D or 2D polymeric complexes, play a unique role as a network bonding agent. Theoretical calculations showed charge separation between Na+ and SO3−. The FTIR and Raman spectra are consistent with the solved crystal structures and, importantly, enable the identification of acetone and DMSO molecules in the powder samples.

Synergistic Crystallization and Passivation by a Single Molecular Additive for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells.

With its power conversion efficiency surpassing those of all other thin-film solar cells only a few years after its invention, the perovskite solar cell has become a superstar. Controlling the intermediate phase of crystallization is a key to obtaining high-quality perovskite films. Herein, a single molecule additive, N,N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide hydroiodide (DIAI), is incorporated into the perovskite precursor to eliminate the influence of intermediate phases. By taking advantage of the interaction of DIAI and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the intermediate phase FAI-PbI2 -DMSO complex is eliminated, and δ-FAPbI3 is entirely converted to the desired α-FAPbI3 during the crystallization step, resulting in enlarged grain size and improved crystalline quality. This is the first observation in the solution method that FAPbI3 can be obtained without an intermediate phase for high-performance perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, DIAI is effective at passivating surface defects, resulting in reduced defect density, increased carrier lifetime, and improved device efficiency and stability. The champion device achieves an efficiency of 24.13%. Furthermore, the bare device without any encapsulation maintains 94.1% of its initial efficiency after ambient exposure over 1000h. This work contributes a strategy of synergistic crystallization and passivation to directly form α-FAPbI3 from the precursor solution without the influence of intermediate impurities for high-performance perovskite applications.

Time-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy with Multivariate Analysis on Photoinduced Proton Transfer in Aromatic Urea-Acetate Anion Complexes.

1-Anthracen-2-yl-3-phenylurea (2PUA) is an aromatic urea compound, which forms a hydrogen-bonded complex with an acetate anion (AcO-), 2PUA-AcO- complex. We investigated the photoinduced reaction of the 2PUA-AcO- complex in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by nanosecond time-resolved infrared (TR-IR) spectroscopy. TR-IR spectra obtained after the photoexcitation of 2PUA with the equal concentration of AcO- were consistently explained by a photoinduced proton transfer model. The spectral and temporal profiles of the TR-IR spectra largely depended on concentration conditions of 2PUA and AcO-. Under the condition where excessive amounts of AcO- existed, the TR-IR spectra contained an unexpected signal whose amplitude was related to the concentration of free AcO- in the solution. Using singular value decomposition analysis of the concentration-dependent TR-IR spectra, we extracted the spectral component that reflects the photoinduced reaction of the 2PUA-AcO- complex. The extracted spectrum resembled the TR-IR spectrum obtained under the equal concentration condition, indicating that the same proton transfer occurs during the photoinduced reaction of the 2PUA-AcO- complex irrespective of the concentration conditions. Comparing the steady-state and transient IR spectra of the 2PUA with AcO- in DMSO with density functional theory calculations suggests that both 2PUA-AcO- complex and tautomer species interact with solvent DMSO molecules in their electronic ground states to a large extent.

Self-diffusion and molecular association in the binary systems dimethyl sulfoxide – chloroform and acetone – chloroform

The self-diffusion of components of such binary mixtures as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) – chloroform and acetone – chloroform has been investigated by pulsed gradient spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance (PGSE NMR) method and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation at ambient conditions. The self-diffusion coefficients obtained by the experimental and theoretical methods are well agreed with each other. Detailed analysis of structural characteristics (fraction of molecules with i hydrogen bonds, the average number of hydrogen bonds), as well as interaction energy in hydrogen-bonded complexes of DMSO – DMSO, DMSO – chloroform, acetone – acetone, acetone – chloroform made it possible to estimate the influence of the self- and heteroassociation on the self-diffusion of the mixture components. A set of methods showed that it is necessary to take into account not only heteroassociates with a composition of 1:1 just like acetone – chloroform mixture for sufficient approximation of the experimental data for DMSO – chloroform mixture. It has been established that for cosolvents (DMSO and acetone) with a similar molecular structure, a different behavior of concentration dependences of the self-diffusion coefficients in binary systems is connected with the features of self-association and heteroassociation.

Potassium Complexes of Quercetin-5'-Sulfonic Acid and Neutral O-Donor Ligands: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal Analysis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Physicochemical Properties.

The coordination ability of QSA− ligand towards potassium cations was investigated. Potassium complex of quercetin-5’-sulfonate of the general formula [KQSA(H2O)2]n was obtained. The [KQSA(H2O)2] (1) was a starting compound for solvothermal syntheses of acetone (2) and dimethylsulfoxide (3) complexes. For the crystalline complexes 1–3, crystals morphology was analyzed, IR and Raman spectra were registered, as well as thermal analysis for 1 was performed. Moreover, for 1 and 3, molecular structures were established. The potassium cations are coordinated by eight oxygen atoms (KO8) of a different chemical nature; coordinating groups are sulfonic, hydroxyl, and carbonyl of the QSA− anion, and neutral molecules—water (1) or DMSO (3). The detailed thermal studies of 1 confirmed that water molecules were strongly bonded in the complex structure. Moreover, it was stated that decomposition processes depended on the atmosphere used above 260 °C. The TG–FTIR–MS technique allowed the identification of gaseous products evolving during oxidative decomposition and pyrolysis of the analyzed compound: water vapor, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbonyl sulfide, and carbon monoxide. The solubility studies showed that 1 is less soluble in ethanol than quercetin dihydrate in ethanol, acetone, and DMSO. The exception was aqueous solution, in which the complex exhibited significantly enhanced solubility compared to quercetin. Moreover, the great solubility of 1 in DMSO explained the ease of ligand exchange (water for DMSO) in [KQSA(H2O)2].

Emission Intensity Enhancement for Iridium(III) Complex in Dimethyl Sulfoxide under Photoirradiation.

We found emission intensity enhancement for fac-Ir(ppy)3 (ppy = 2-(2'-phenyl)pyridine) in aerated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) during photoirradiation for the first time. This phenomenon was concluded to be responsible for the consumption of 3O2 dissolved in DMSO through dimethyl sulfone production by photosensitized reaction using fac-Ir(ppy)3. A 3O2 adduct of DMSO molecule was detected by UV absorption measurement and theoretical calculation. We proposed a mechanism for the emission enhancement reaction including 1,3O2 molecules and 1,3O2-DMSO adducts and validated it through a simulation of emission intensity change using an ordinary differential equation solver.

DMSO Deintercalation in Kaolinite–DMSO Intercalate: Influence of Solution Polarity on Removal

This study focused on the deintercalation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) from a kaolinite–DMSO complex in various solvents. The use of kaolinite as filler in polymer–clay composite generally faced the difficulty of kaolinite dispersion due to its high cohesion. For improved dispersion of kaolinite within a given matrix, previous intercalation of small polar molecules is usually done prior to its displacement during composite-making. The influence of the solvent polarity on the deintercalation in analyzed here to understand its role during the deintercalation process. The intercalation of the DMSO was done by solution-mixing and its displacement was done in distilled water, ethyl acetate, and acetone. The products of deintercalation were analyzed using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The weakening of the kaolinite cohesion after DMSO intercalation is demonstrated through the broadening of the diffraction peak associated with the kaolinite on XRD patterns. From FTIR spectra, the weakening is associated with the displacement to low wavenumbers of the Si–O or Al–O vibration bands within the kaolinite–DMSO complex. The kaolinite dehydroxylation temperatures from DSC show that the rate of DMSO displacement affects the ordering of the recovered kaolinite. The crystallite size of the kaolinite is reduced from the raw to the recovered kaolinite after DMSO displacement, indicating an exfoliation of the kaolinite. From these results, it is found that the removal of the DMSO from the kaolinite–DMSO complex is influenced by solvent polarity. The higher the polarity, the greater the removal of the DMSO from the complex. Solvent polarity affects the rate of DMSO displacement, which influences the ordering of the recovered kaolinite. It is suggested that solvent polarity can be used to control the removal rate of DMSO, which may be key to the dispersion of the kaolinite platelets.