dimethylformamide is (CH3)2NC(O)H and is abbreviated as DMF. It is a colorless liquid which dissolves in water and most of the organic chemicals. In its purest form it is odorless and with contamination or impurities it develops a fishy odor.
The primary use of DMF is as a solvent with low evaporation rate. DMF is used in the production of acrylic fibers and plastics. It is also used as a solvent in peptide coupling for pharmaceuticals, in the development and production of pesticides, and in the manufacture of adhesives, synthetic leathers, fibers, films, and surface coatings.
In acute and repeated-dose toxicity studies, DMF has been consistently hepatotoxic, inducing effects on the liver at lowest concentrations or doses.
The dimethylformamide-dimethyl sulfate complex prepared above is transferred to the dropping funnel and added slowly.
