Sulfolane is widely used as a solvent in the petrochemical industry, particularly in aromatic extraction processes. It selectively dissolves aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, and xylene from hydrocarbon mixtures, making it essential in refining reformate streams to produce high-purity aromatics for plastics, fuels, and chemical intermediates. It is also employed in natural gas processing to remove impurities such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide due to its high thermal and chemical stability. Its ability to perform under high temperatures without degradation makes it suitable for use in extraction units that operate under severe conditions. Additionally, sulfolane finds use in some polymer and pharmaceutical applications as a dipolar aprotic solvent, facilitating reactions that require high polarity and low nucleophilicity. It is also explored in lithium-ion battery electrolytes and as a solvent in green chemistry applications due to its low volatility and high solvating power.