N,N-Dimethylformamide, commonly abbreviated as ‌DMF‌, is a colorless, high-boiling, highly polar aprotic organic liquid with a faint characteristic amine-like odor. Its molecular formula is C₃H₇NO, with a molecular weight of 73.09 g/mol, CAS No. 68-12-2.

Key Physical & Chemical Properties

• ‌Boiling point‌: 153°C, melting point: -61°C, relative density (20°C): 0.948 g/cm³, flash point: 58°C.
• ‌Solubility‌: Fully miscible with water, alcohols, ethers, ketones, esters, chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons; only partially miscible with aliphatic hydrocarbons.
• ‌Stability‌: Thermally stable at normal distillation temperatures without decomposition; hydrolyzes slowly in boiling water to form formic acid and dimethylamine, and decomposes into carbon monoxide and dimethylamine at temperatures above 350°C.

Core Industrial Applications

As one of the most versatile polar industrial solvents, DMF is widely used across multiple sectors:

• ‌Polyurethane industry‌: Serves as the primary solvent for synthetic leather and artificial leather slurry production.
• ‌Textile sector‌: Acts as a spinning solvent for polyacrylonitrile (acrylic fiber) manufacturing.
• ‌Pharmaceutical & chemical synthesis‌: Functions as a reaction medium for producing drug intermediates, vitamins and hormone products.
• ‌Electronics industry‌: Used for precision cleaning and etching of circuit boards.
• **Petrochemical field: Enables efficient extraction and separation of butadiene from C4 hydrocarbon fractions.

Safety & Handling Notes

DMF is classified as a flammable liquid with hepatotoxicity, which can be absorbed through the skin and irritate eyes, skin and respiratory tracts. Operations must be carried out in enclosed, well-ventilated spaces, with personnel wearing certified chemical protective gear and respirators. Strict compliance with SDS guidelines is required for storage, transportation and waste disposal to avoid environmental contamination.