) → CH3(C6H4)N(CH3)2 + Na(CH3)SO4===Methylation at sulfur===Similar to the methylation of alcohols, mercaptide salts are easily methylated by Me2SO4:::RS−Na+ + (CH3O)2SO2 → RSCH3 + Na(CH3)SO4An example is:::p-CH3C6H4SO2Na + (CH3O)2SO2 → p-CH3C6H4SO2CH3 + Na(CH3)SO4This method has been used to prepare thioesters:::RC(O)SH + (CH3O)2SO2 → RC(O)S(CH3) + HOSO3CH3===Other uses===Dimethyl sulfate can affect the base-specific cleavage of guanine in DNA by rupturing the imidazole rings present in guanine.
) → CH3(C6H4)N(CH3)2 + Na(CH3)SO4Так же как и метилирование спиртов, алкилируются соли тиолов, но с большей скоростью::: RS−Na+ + (CH3O)2SO2 → RSCH3 + Na(CH3)SO4:: p-CH3C6H4SO2Na + (CH3O)2SO2 → p-CH3C6H4SO2CH3 + Na(CH3)SO4:: RC(O)SH + (CH3O)2SO2 → RC(O)S(CH3) + HOSO3CH3Диметилсульфат может вызвать специфические расщепление гуанина в ДНК путём разрушения имидазольного цикла.