I get to know that the solvent DMF is technically similar to the DMSO for organic synthesis, just that DMSO can dissolve more compounds than the DMF.
Is there any special reason that DMSO is used instead of DMF, even though the compounds are soluble in DMF?
Both solvents are different! They have different solubility, acidic and basic character (comparatives), boiling and freezing points including other physical parameters and constants and owing to these properties are used in different sets of reaction conditions. You probably got confused with their small scale, preparative laboratory level usage!
In short, DMSO specifically solvate dissolved compounds, thereby their basicity and nucleophilicity increase. This may be nesessary in some situation.
Furthermore, number of DMSO-based reagents are known: superbase catalysts, Swern-Moffatt oxidative system, Corey-Chaykovsky reagent.
DMF may enter into some chemical reactions that DMSO doesn't. Usually the solvent is chosen to be non reacting, but in some special cases the solvent reacts or becomes catalytic.
DMF is a dangerous solvent, it is classified as reprotoxic and has a regulated use in Europe (substance of very high concern and inscribed on the candidate list for authorisation according to EC1907/2006 regulation).
Thus, the european companies prefer DMSO, a non dangerous and highly biocompatible solvent.
The choice of solvent depends on what you are going to do with the solution - e.g. spectrophotometry, recrystallization, reaction with something else. Where there are different possibilities we choose the least hazard and cost.
This question appeared to be pretty simple, but it is indeed an interesting one, so far as health and safety issues are concerned. This has nicely come out during the above discussions.
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