N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF)

Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a transparent liquid that is miscible with water and most organic solvents. It is a commonly used solvent in chemical reactions. Pure dimethylformamide is odorless, but industrial-grade or degraded dimethylformamide has a fishy odor due to impurities of dimethylamine. The name derives from it being a dimethyl derivative of formamide (the amide of formic acid), with both methyl groups attached to the N (nitrogen) atom. Dimethylformamide is a high-boiling polar (hydrophilic) aprotic solvent that promotes SN2 reaction mechanisms. Dimethylformamide is produced using formic acid and dimethylamine. Dimethylformamide is unstable in the presence of strong bases such as sodium hydroxide or strong acids such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid (especially at high temperatures) and hydrolyzes to formic acid and dimethylamine.

Chinese name: N,N-Dimethylformamide
Foreign name: N,N-Dimethylformamide
Alias: DMF
Properties: A transparent liquid with an ammonia-like odor
Uses: Commonly used solvent in chemical reactions
CAS: 68-12-2

Information

Basic Information

Chinese Name: Dimethylformamide
CAS NO.: 68-12-2
Chinese Aliases: N,N-Dimethylformamide;;N.N-Dimethylformamide; Dimethylformamide; Dimethylformamide 098-01 [3]; N,N-Dimethylformamide (Analytical Grade); N,N-Dimethylformamide (Spectroscopic Grade); Anhydrous N,N-Dimethylformamide; N,N-Dimethylformamide DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE; DMF (N,N-Dimethylformamide); LEDA HPLC Dimethylformamide
English Name: N,N-Dimethylformamide
English Aliases: AKOS BBS-00004259; DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE; DMF; DMFA; FORMDIMETHYLAMIDE; FORMIC ACID DIMETHYLAMIDE; FORMYLDIMETHYLAMINE; N',N-DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE; amide,n,n-dimethyl-formicaci; Dimethylamid kyseliny mravenci; dimethylamidkyselinymravenci; dimethylamidkyselinymravenci(czech); Dimethylfomamide; Dimethylformamid; Dimetilformamide; Dimetylformamidu; dimetylformamidu(czech); dlmethylformamide; DMF (Amide)
EINECS: 200-679-5
Molecular Formula: C3H7NO
Molecular Weight: 73.09

Properties

Physical Properties

N,N-Dimethylformamide; Dimethylformamide; N,N-Dimethylformamide; DMF; CAS: 68-12-2
Physicochemical Properties: Colorless liquid with a faint ammonia odor. Molecular formula C3-H7-N=O. Molecular weight 73.10. Relative density 0.9445 (25°C). Melting point -61°C. Boiling point 152.8°C. Flash point 57.78°C. Vapor density 2.51. Vapor pressure 0.49 kPa (3.7 mmHg at 25°C). Auto-ignition point 445°C. Refractive index 1.42817, solubility parameter δ=12.1. Hazard Label 7 (Flammable Liquid). Main Uses: Primarily used as an industrial solvent, in the pharmaceutical industry for producing vitamins and hormones, and also for manufacturing chlordimeform.

Chemical Properties

【Appearance】Colorless liquid with a faint peculiar odor.
【Solubility】Miscible with water, soluble in most organic solvents.
【Melting Point】-61 °C
【Specific Rotation】0.94 °
【Boiling Point】153 °C (lit.)
【Density】0.948 g/mL at 20 °C
【Vapor Density】2.5 (vs air)
【Vapor Pressure】2.7 mm Hg (20 °C)
【Refractive Index】n20/D 1.430 (lit.)
【Flash Point】136 °F
【Storage Conditions】Store at RT.
【Water Solubility】Soluble
【Sensitivity】Hygroscopic
【Merck】14,3243
【BRN】605365
【Specific Rotation】0.94°

Safety Terms

In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label whenever possible.)
Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use.

Risk Terms

Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.
Irritating to eyes.
May cause harm to the unborn child.

Main Uses

【Use 1】Used as an analytical reagent and solvent for vinyl resins and acetylene.
【Use 2】An excellent organic solvent used for polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, and polyvinyl chloride, also as an extractant, and raw material for pharmaceuticals and pesticides like chlordimeform.
【Use 3】Dimethylformamide is both a widely used chemical raw material and an excellent solvent. It can be used in wet spinning of synthetic fibers like polyacrylonitrile fiber, synthesis of polyurethane; for plastic film production; also as a paint remover; it can dissolve certain low-solubility pigments, giving them dye-like characteristics. Dimethylformamide can be used for aromatic extraction and for separating and recovering butadiene from C4 fractions and isoprene from C5 fractions. It is also an effective reagent for separating non-hydrocarbon components from paraffin. It has good selectivity in dissolving isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid: isophthalic acid is more soluble in dimethylformamide than terephthalic acid, allowing separation through solvent extraction or partial crystallization in dimethylformamide. In the petrochemical industry, dimethylformamide serves as a gas absorbent for separating and purifying gases. In organic reactions, dimethylformamide is not only widely used as a reaction solvent but also an important intermediate in organic synthesis. In the pesticide industry, it is used to produce chlordimeform; in the pharmaceutical industry, it is used to synthesize sulfadiazine, doxycycline, cortisone, vitamin B6, idoxuridine, pyrvinium pamoate, pyrimethamine, N-formylsarcolysin, anti-tumor amino acid, methoxymerphalan, carmustine, ftorafur, tranexamic acid, betamethasone, megestrol acetate, anethole trithione, chlorpheniramine, etc. Dimethylformamide has catalytic effects in hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, dehydration, and dehydrohalogenation reactions, lowering reaction temperatures and improving product purity.
【Use 4】Reagent for non-aqueous titration, solvent for vinyl resins and acetylene, organic synthesis, photometric determination, gas chromatography stationary phase (maximum use temperature 50°C, solvent methanol), separation and analysis of C2-C5 hydrocarbons, and separation of n- and iso-butene-[1] and cis- and trans-butene-[2]. Pesticide residue analysis. Organic synthesis. Peptide synthesis. Used in the photographic industry.

Upstream and Downstream Product Information

Upstream Raw Materials: Methanol --> Ammonia --> Sodium methoxide --> Formic acid --> Dimethylamine --> Carbon monoxide --> Trichloroacetaldehyde --> Methyl formate --> Hydrocyanic acid --> 5-Methylfurfural
Downstream Products: 5-Indolecarboxaldehyde --> 4-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid --> 1-(2,4-Dimethylquinolin-3-yl)ethanone hydrochloride --> 1-(1-Methylpiperidin-4-yl)piperazine --> 1,3-Benzodioxole-4-carbaldehyde --> 4-Amino-6-chloro-5-formylpyrimidine --> 3,4-Thiophenedicarboxylic acid --> 4,6-Dichloro-5-pyrimidinecarbaldehyde --> 2,4-Dimethylquinoline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester --> Ethirimol --> N-Ethyl-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine --> Cefpimazole --> Octenidine --> 4-Methyl-2-(1H-pyrazol-2-yl)quinoline --> 1-[(4-Methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde --> 3,5-Difluorobenzoic acid --> 2-Cyano-5-methylpyridine --> 1-Methyl-3-amino-pyrazolo[3,4-B]pyridine --> 4-Acetamido-3-nitrobenzoic acid --> Labetalol --> A new class of liquid crystal polymers --> 5-Nitro-2-hydroxy-3-chloropyridine --> Pyridine-2-carbonyl chloride hydrochloride --> 4-(N,N-Dimethylamino)-2-chloropyrimidine --> Methylprednisolone aceponate --> 1-(3-Pyridyl)-3-(dimethylamino)-2-propen-1-one --> 2,2'-Bithiophene-5-carbaldehyde --> Halofuginone --> Etomidate --> Olprinone --> Bifendate

Firefighting Measures

Use water spray, dry powder, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, or sand to extinguish. Keep containers cool with water during a fire.

Storage and Transportation Instructions

Packaging Label: Flammable Liquid. Packaging Method: (III) Class. Glass bottles in wooden cases lined with non-combustible material, or aluminum drums, galvanized iron drums. Storage and Transportation Conditions: Store in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse. Keep away from ignition sources and heat. Isolate from halogenated hydrocarbons, nitrates and nitrites, methylene diisocyanate, carbon tetrachloride, phosphorus trioxide, triethylaluminum, oxidizing agents, and acids. Handle with care during transportation to keep packaging intact.

Leak Handling

First, cut off all ignition sources. Wear a protective mask and gloves. Flush with water, and discharge diluted sewage into the wastewater system.

Exposure Opportunities

Mainly used as a solvent for extracting acetylene and manufacturing polyacrylonitrile fibers, also in organic synthesis, dyes, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, and resin industries. In these workplaces, poisoning can occur due to exposure to DMF vapor. Acute poisoning usually results from production failures, equipment leaks, or lack of effective protective measures during equipment maintenance, leading to significant exposure. Poisoning often involves both inhalation and skin absorption, with skin absorption being the primary route.