PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
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Dimethylformamide
(N,N-Dimethyl formamide;
Formyldimethylamine;
DMF;
N-Formyldimethylamine;
N,N-Dimethyl-
methanamide)
MW = 71.3
Dimethylformamide, Chemical Abstracts
Registry Number 68-12-2
Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a
colorless to slightly yellow, high-
boiling, polar liquid with a faint
odor typical of amines. It is com-
pletely miscible with water and
many organic compounds but not
with aliphatic hydrocarbons. The
molecule is considered to be stable
and polymerization does not occur.
It does not decompose during dis-
tillation.
DMF makes an effective solvent
for salts, gases, and compounds
with high molecular weight. It has
several characteristics which aid in
its versatility as a solvent. Among
these traits are the small size of
the molecule, the high dielectric
constant, the proton donor proper-
ties, and the ability to form com-
plexes. The gases of acetylene,
butadiene, isoprene, sulfur diox-
ide, and HCl are soluble in DMF,
while carbon monoxide and diox-
ide, ammonia, oxygen, and hydro-
gen are only sparingly soluble.
O CH3
ll l
H—C—N—CH3
A large application of DMF is as a
solvent in industrial processes. It
is compatible with polar polymers
with strong intermolecular forces.
Its solvency aids the production of
fibers, films, and surface coatings.
Acrylic fibers are made with DMF,
because it provides a solution that
readily permits spinning fibers.
DMF is also good for producing
polyurethanes (synthetic leather)
and wire enamels based on
polyamides, polyurethanes, and
others. Because DMF is so versa-
tile, it is used as a solvent, inter-
mediate, or catalyst in multiple
reactions. In the production of
pharmaceuticals, it is used as a
crystallization medium for vita-
mins, hormones, and sulfonamides
(synthetic antibacterial drugs).
Within the electronics industry,
DMF can be used in electrolytic
capacitors and in various elec-
trolytic processes, e.g., electroplat-
ing baths. Within the petroleum
industry, DMF can be used to
extract selectively aromatics from
mixtures and recover sulfonic
acids from petroleum fractions.
The selective solvency of DMF
can also be used to separate acety-
lene from ethylene streams, buta-
diene from C4-hydrocarbons, H2S
and SO2 from flue gas, terephthal-
ic from isophthalic acid, and
chlorosilanes. In addition, DMF
can be used as a paint stripper and
cleaner for machinery, moldings,
and gas pipelines and in the manu-
facture of reverse osmosis mem-
branes.
Refer to the Celanese Chemicals
Material Safety Data Sheet for
specific health and environmental
information. Refer to the Celanese
Chemicals Product Handling
Guide for general storage, ship-
ping, and construction material
information. Material Safety Data
Sheet and Product Handling Guide
for DMF are available through
your Celanese Chemicals sales
representative.
 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

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Dimethylformamide
Physical Autoignition Temperature: 822°F (445°C)
Properties
Critical Compressibility Factor: 0.214
Critical Pressure: 43.6 atm
Critical Temperature: 377°C
Critical Volume: 3.58 cm3/g
Dipole Moment: 1.27 X 10 –29 coul • m
Evaporation Rate (n-BuAc = 1): 0.20
Flammability Limits (vol % in air):
Upper Limit: 15.2
Lower Limit: 2.20
Flash Point (Tag Closed Cup): 136°F (58°C)
Freezing Point: -61°C (-78°F)
Heat of Vaporization:
(BTU/lb) 281 274 267 260 235
Temperature (°F) 47.4 88.8 130 172 296
Liquid Density: (lb/gal) 8.01 7.83 7.65 7.47 6.66
Temperature (°F) 47.4 88.8 130 172 337
Liquid Heat Capacity:
(BTU/lb/°F) 0.483 0.486 0.490 0.503
Temperature (°F) 33.2 51.5 69.7 124
Liquid Thermal Conductivity:
(BTU/ft/sec/°F) 3.04 X 10 –5 2.96 X 10 –5 2.85 X 10 –5
Temperature (°F) 40.1 73.3 123
Liquid Viscosity: (cp) 1.21 0.811 0.591 0.496
Temperature (°F) 25.0 77.6 130 165
Normal Boiling Points: 153°C (307°F)
Solubility in Water: Infinite
Specific Gravity (20°C/4°C): 0.949
Surface Tension:
(dynes/cm) 36.2 33.7 31.3 26.4
Temperature (°F) 47.4 88.8 130 213
Vapor Density (air = 1 at 20°C): 2.52
Vapor Pressure:
(mm Hg) 1.36 6.05 21.2 152
Temperature (°F) 47.4 88.8 130 213

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vide general notes on our products and
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