Dimethylformamide (DMF)

Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a clear, colorless, hygroscopic liquid with a slight amine odor. The solvent properties of DMF are particularly attractive because of the high dielectric constant, the aprotic nature of the solvent, its wide liquid range and low volatility. Dimethylformamide is frequently used for chemical reactions and other applications, which require a high solvency power. The product is known as a universal solvent.

The initial use of Dimethylformamide is as a solvent with a low evaporation rate. DMF is used in the production of Acrylic and Plastic fibers. Dimethylformamide is also used for pharmaceutical purposes, in the production of pesticides, adhesives, synthetic leather, fibers, films, and surface coatings.

The high solubility of Polyacrylonitrile in DMF, together with the good miscibility of DMF in water makes DMF the preferred solvent for the production of acrylic fibers. The spinning of Polyurethane based elastomers is also performed from DMF based solutions.

Another significant application is the use of DMF as a solvent for polyurethane-based coatings on leather and artificial leather fabrics.

Polymers like Polyvinylchloride, Vinyl Chloride-Vinyl Acetate copolymers and some Polyamides are also readily dissolved in DMF. Dimethylformamide is also used in epoxy-based formulations.

The pharmaceutical industry uses DMF as a reaction and crystallization solvent because of its exceptional solvency parameters.

In the petrochemical industry, DMF is used for the purification of Acetylene from Ethylene and Butadiene from C4 streams and also for the separation of Aromatics, which can be easily dissolved by DMF from Aliphatic Hydrocarbons. Those Aliphatics are used in lube oils.

Due to the high solubility of SO2 in DMF, exhaust combustion streams from high sulfur containing fuels can be purified with CO2 being recovered.

This solvent is used as a cleaner, for instance to clean hot-dip tinned parts. DMF is also used as industrial paint stripper.

This high solubility of inorganic substances also leads to the application of DMF in the production of high voltage capacitors.

Dimethylformamide is also used as carrier for inks and dyes in various printing and fiber-dying applications.

Dimethylformamide is widely used as a solvent, reagent and catalyst in the synthetic organic chemistry.

Applications:

• Agricultural chemical processing
• Fibers
• HTF - pharmaceutical processing
• Oil or gas processing
• Polymer processing
• Processed solvents
• Refining
• Textile

Safety and Storage:

Dimethylformamide has low toxicity, slight irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.

DMF should be used in areas free of ignition sources, and quantities greater than one liter should be stored in tightly sealed metal containers in areas separate from oxidizers.