Dimethylformamide CAS 68-12-2

What is Dimethylformamide?

Dimethylformamide is a polar aprotic solvent, C₃H₇NO, a clear, high-boiling liquid with a faint amine odour, completely miscible with water and most organic solvents.

It is made by reacting dimethylamine with carbon monoxide, or with methyl formate, and its exceptional dissolving power for polar polymers defines its market.

The largest outlets are synthetic leather manufacture, where DMF dissolves polyurethane for coagulation coating, and acrylic fibre spinning, where it dissolves polyacrylonitrile.

DMF is classified as toxic for reproduction and is on the REACH candidate list, with occupational exposure limits that have tightened substantially. Industrial use continues under controls, but the regulatory trajectory is clear.

Why DMF specifically

• Dissolves polar polymers. Polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile and polyamides dissolve in DMF when little else will touch them.
• High boiling point. At 153 °C it suits hot processes and coagulation baths where volatile solvents would not work.
• Water miscible. Essential for the wet coagulation processes used in synthetic leather and fibre spinning.
• Recoverable. Stable enough to be distilled and recycled repeatedly, which the economics of both main applications depend on.

How Dimethylformamide is Manufactured

DMF is made from dimethylamine and carbon monoxide, directly or through methyl formate.

• Dimethylamine feed. Produced from methanol and ammonia, DMA is the nitrogen source.
• Methyl formate route. Methanol and carbon monoxide form methyl formate, which reacts with dimethylamine to DMF and methanol.
• Direct carbonylation. DMA reacts with carbon monoxide under pressure over a sodium methoxide catalyst.
• Methanol recovery. Co-product methanol is separated and recycled to the front of the process.
• Distillation. Vacuum distillation removes water, amines and heavy ends to reach 99.9%.
• Stabilisation and packing. High-purity grades are nitrogen blanketed, since DMF hydrolyses slowly in the presence of water.

Typical Commercial Specification

Figures below are representative of commercial high-purity DMF. Pharmaceutical and electronic grades carry additional limits — tell us the use and we will send the matching sheet.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Behaviour in the process

DMF's hydrolysis and skin absorption are the two behaviours that drive its handling:

• Hydrolyses to formic acid and dimethylamine. Slowly when wet or warm, which raises acidity, generates odour and corrodes equipment.
• Absorbed through skin. Readily penetrates intact skin, which is the main exposure route and the reason for biological monitoring.
• Dissolves many plastics. Attacks PVC, polycarbonate, polystyrene and many elastomers; check all wetted materials.
• Reacts violently with some halogenated compounds. Notably with certain chlorinated solvents and oxidisers; segregate carefully.

DMF Grades and Alternative Solvents

DMF is bought by purity, with the application and the regulatory environment both shaping the choice.

Stated plainly: the polar aprotic solvent family — DMF, DMAc and NMP — share both their usefulness and their reproductive toxicity classifications. DMSO and water-based polyurethane systems are the genuine substitution routes, and both are being pursued under regulatory pressure.

Industries We Supply Dimethylformamide To

DMF serves synthetic leather, fibres, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

Where Dimethylformamide is Used

Synthetic leather and acrylic fibre take the majority of DMF, with pharmaceuticals and electronics taking the higher-specification volume.

In synthetic leather manufacture

Polyurethane is dissolved in DMF, coated onto a substrate and coagulated in a water bath, where the DMF diffuses out and leaves a porous PU structure. The solvent is then recovered from the water by distillation. Recovery efficiency governs both cost and emissions, and recovered DMF accumulates amine and acidity that must be controlled.

Regulatory position

DMF is classified as toxic for reproduction Category 1B, is on the REACH candidate list, and has an EU occupational exposure limit with a skin notation and biological monitoring. Several jurisdictions have restricted it in consumer articles. Industrial use continues, but buyers should expect the compliance burden to increase rather than ease.

Quality Control & Testing

Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with water and amine content reported alongside purity because both indicate hydrolysis.

• DMF purity and water content — by gas chromatography and Karl Fischer titration.
• Acidity and dimethylamine — the hydrolysis indicators that drive odour and corrosion.
• Colour — by APHA, confirming freedom from oxidation and contamination.
• Iron and non-volatile residue — reported for equipment and process reasons.
• Methanol content — the characteristic process impurity.
• Pharmacopoeial tests — for pharmaceutical grades, including residual solvent requirements.

Common Process Problems & Likely Causes

When DMF causes trouble, it is usually hydrolysis, water or recovered solvent quality. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.

Packaging, Storage & Shipping

• Standard packing. 200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, ISO tank containers and bulk, nitrogen blanketed for high-purity grades.
• Moisture control. Keep water low and containers sealed; water drives hydrolysis to formic acid and dimethylamine.
• Material compatibility. Stainless steel is standard. DMF attacks PVC, polycarbonate, polystyrene and many elastomers.
• Storage. Cool, dry, bunded storage; DMF is a combustible liquid with a 58 °C flash point.
• Skin protection. Use gloves selected on breakthrough time; DMF is readily absorbed through skin.
• Segregation. Keep strictly apart from strong oxidisers, halogenated compounds and sodium borohydride, with which it reacts violently.
• Shelf life. Typically 24 months in sealed, blanketed storage; acidity and amine are the practical checks.
• Transport classification. UN 2265, N,N-dimethylformamide, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group III.

Hazards & Safe Handling

DMF is a combustible liquid classified as toxic for reproduction and readily absorbed through skin. Dermal exposure control and biological monitoring are the central safety measures.

• Reproductive toxicity. Classified Category 1B, may damage the unborn child. Exposure must be controlled, with particular attention to workers of reproductive age.
• Skin absorption. Readily absorbed through intact skin in toxicologically significant amounts; air monitoring alone understates exposure.
• Liver toxicity. Repeated exposure causes liver damage; health surveillance including liver function testing is commonly required.
• Biological monitoring. Urinary N-methylformamide is the accepted biomarker and is required in several jurisdictions.
• Occupational exposure. Limits are low and carry a skin notation; confirm the applicable value in your jurisdiction.
• Flammability. Flash point about 58 °C; combustible rather than highly flammable, but it will burn.
• Violent reactions. Reacts dangerously with certain halogenated compounds, oxidisers and sodium borohydride.
• Environment. Contain spills; DMF is fully water miscible and spreads readily.

Regulatory & Compliance Notes

DMF is a REACH candidate list substance with reproductive toxicity classification and tightening exposure limits. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.

• GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 4 or 3 depending on jurisdiction, acute toxicity Category 4, reproductive toxicity Category 1B and eye irritation.
• REACH candidate list. Identified as a substance of very high concern, with authorisation or restriction a live regulatory possibility.
• Occupational exposure regulation. EU binding limit values with skin notation apply, and biological monitoring is required in several jurisdictions.
• Consumer restrictions. Restricted in consumer articles, including limits on residual DMF in synthetic leather goods in some markets.
• Dangerous goods transport. UN 2265, Class 3, PG III. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply.
• Pharmaceutical use. ICH Q3C classifies DMF as a Class 2 residual solvent with defined concentration limits.

We Supply Dimethylformamide Worldwide

Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Dimethylformamide from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.

• Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
• Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
• Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
• Flexible volumes. From a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
• Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.

Buying Dimethylformamide from Chelora

We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For DMF that means settling three things at enquiry: the purity and water limit your process requires, the regulatory position in your destination market, and the skin-protection and monitoring arrangements your site has in place.

• Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (purity, water, acidity, dimethylamine), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
• Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
• Quantities. From a pallet of drums through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
• Grade matching. High-purity or pharmaceutical grade DMF to the water, acidity and amine limits your process requires.
• Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
• Related products. N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone, Acrylonitrile, Methanol and other feedstocks alongside Dimethylformamide from one supplier.

How ordering works

• Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
• We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
• Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
• Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
• Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
• Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.

Related Products

Buyers of DMF often source other polar solvents alongside it — NMP and specialty solvents are commonly bought on the same programme.