It is known only in the form of a dilute solution, usually in acetone, and hence the properties of the pure material are largely unknown.

DMDO can be prepared as dilute solutions (~0.1 M) by treatment of acetone with potassium peroxymonosulfate KHSO5, usually in the form of Oxone (2KHSO5·KHSO4·K2SO4).

[4] One advantage of using DMDO is that the only byproduct of oxidation is acetone, a fairly innocuous and volatile compound.

Despite its high reactivity, DMDO displays good selectivity for electron-rich olefins.

For example, DMDO will oxidize primary amines to nitro compounds and sulfides to sulfoxides.