Functional Roles
Industries Served
Physical Properties
physical_description
N,n-dimethylformamide appears as a water-white liquid with a faint fishy odor. Flash point 136 u00b0F. Slightly less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. Toxic by inhalation or skin absorption. May irritate eyes.
color/form
Colorless to very slightly yellow liquid
odor
Faint, amine-like odor
boiling_point
BP: 76 u00b0C at 39 mm Hg; 25 u00b0C at 3.7 mm Hg
melting_point
-78 u00b0F (NTP, 1992)
flash_point
67 u00b0C (open cup); 58 u00b0C (Closed cup)
solubility
Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether, acetone, benzene; slightly soluble in ligroin
density
0.95 at 68 u00b0F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
vapor_density
2.51 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink (Relative to Air)
vapor_pressure
3.7 mmHg at 77 u00b0F ; 2.7 mmHg at 68 u00b0F (NTP, 1992)
logp
log Kow = -1.01
henry's_law_constant
Henry's Law constant = 7.39X10-8 atm-cu m/mole at 25 u00b0C
stability/shelf_life
DMF is stable. It is hygroscopic and easily absorbs water form a humid atmosphere and should therefore be kept under dry nitrogen. High purity DMF, required for acrylic fibers, is best stored in aluminum tanks. DMF dose not change under light or oxygen and does not polymerize spontaneously. Temperatures >350 u00b0C may cause decomposition to form dimethylamine and carbon dioxide, with pressure developing in closed containers.
autoignition_temperature
833 u00b0F (USCG, 1999)
decomposition
Temperatures >350 u00b0C may cause decomposition to form dimethylamine and carbon dioxide, with pressure developing in closed containers.
viscosity
0.85 mmu00c2u00b2/s at 25 u00b0C
corrosivity
Pure dimethylformamide is essentially noncorrosive to metals. However, copper, tin and their alloys should be avoided.
heat_of_combustion
1921 kJ/mole at 25 u00b0C
heat_of_vaporization
47.6 kJ/mole at 25 u00b0C
ph
pH = 6.7 (0.5 molar solution in water)
surface_tension
36.42 dyne/cm at 25 u00b0C
ionization_potential
9.12 eV
polymerization
Methylene diisocyanate polymerized violently on contact with dimethyl formamide.
odor_threshold
300 mg/cu m (odor low) 300 mg/cu m (odor high)
refractive_index
Index of refraction: 1.42083 at 25 u00b0C/D
dissociation_constants
pKa = -0.30 (conjugate acid)
kovats_retention_index
756.3
other_experimental_properties
Gases such as acetylene, butadiene, isoprene, sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid are soluble in DMF; ammonia, carbon monoxide and dioxide, oxygen and hydrogen are only sparingly soluble.
GHS / SDS Safety
Danger
Acute Toxic
Flammable
Irritant
Health Hazard
Corrosive
- H350: May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity]
- H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
- H226 (33.5%): Flammable liquid and vapor [Warning Flammable liquids]
- H360D ***: May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]
- H320: Causes eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
- H331: Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H312: Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]
- H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H226: Flammable liquid and vapor [Warning Flammable liquids]
- H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]
- H360D: May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]
- H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]
- H371: May cause damage to organs [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
- H332: Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H303: May be harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]
- H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects [Warning Germ cell mutagenicity]
- H319 (98.7%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H312 (98.6%): Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]
- H332 (98.4%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H360 (93.5%): May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]
- H313: May be harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]
Chemical Identity
| CAS Number | 68-12-2 |
| IUPAC Name | N,N-dimethylformamide |
| InChI Key | ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| PubChem CID | 6228 |
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a polar aprotic solvent with the molecular formula C3H7NO that provides excellent solvency properties for a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds. This colorless liquid solvent is primarily utilized in industrial manufacturing and textile processing applications where its strong dissolving capabilities are required. DMF exhibits miscibility with common organic solvents including ethanol, ethyl ether, acetone, and benzene, making it highly versatile for formulation and extraction processes.