N,N-Dimethylformamide

N,N-Dimethylformamide is a member of the class of formamides that is formamide in which the amino hydrogens are replaced by methyl groups. It has a role as a polar aprotic solvent and a hepatotoxic agent. It is a volatile organic compound and a member of formamides. It derives from a formamide. It appears as a water-white liquid with a faint fishy odor. . Slightly less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. Toxic by inhalation or skin absorption. It may irritate eyes. 

1. Dimethylformamide is an excellent solvent for various polymers such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, etc. It can be used for wet spinning of synthetic fibers including polyacrylonitrile fiber, synthesis of polyurethane, and plastic film forming. It also serves as a paint remover. In addition, it can dissolve some poorly soluble pigments and impart dye-like properties to them. DMF is applied in aromatic hydrocarbon extraction, separation and recovery of butadiene from C4 fractions and isoprene from C5 fractions, and is also an effective reagent for separating non‑hydrocarbon components from paraffin.

2. It exhibits good selectivity in dissolving isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid: the solubility of isophthalic acid in DMF is higher than that of terephthalic acid, so the two can be separated by solvent extraction or fractional crystallization in DMF. In petrochemical industry, DMF can be used as a gas absorbent for gas separation and purification.

3. 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 can be used to produce chlordimeform.

4. It is used as a reagent for non-aqueous titration, solvent for vinyl resins and acetylene, organic synthesis, photometric determination, stationary phase for gas chromatography (maximum operating temperature 50 °C, solvent: methanol), separation and analysis of C2‑C5 hydrocarbons, and resolution of n‑butene / isobutene as well as cis‑butene / trans‑butene. It is also applied in pesticide residue analysis, organic synthesis, peptide synthesis and photographic industry.

5. It is a widely used excellent solvent and chemical raw material. It serves as a good solvent for many polymers such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, etc. Applications include wet spinning of synthetic fibers like polyacrylonitrile fiber; synthesis of polyurethane; paint remover; selective absorption of acetylene and separation and purification of butadiene; solvent in artificial leather production; synthesis of insecticides in pesticides; and manufacture of pharmaceuticals including sulfadiazine, doxycycline, cortisone, vitamin B6, idoxuridine, pyrvinium pamoate, pyrantel, formylmerphalan, sarcolysin, methoxymerphalan, chlorambucil, lomustine, tegafur, tranexamic acid, betamethasone, megestrol acetate, natural choline, chlorpheniramine maleate, etc.

6. Used as a solvent and organic modifier in liquid chromatography, extractant and developer for thin‑layer chromatography, solvent for vinyl resins and acetylene, solvent for non‑aqueous titration, and in organic synthesis.

7.Mainly used as an industrial solvent. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used in the production of pharmaceuticals and hormones, and also in the manufacture of chlordimeform.