Dimethylformamide is a common solvent for chemical reactions. Pure dimethylformamide has a special smell, while industrial or deteriorated dimethylformamide has a fishy smell because it contains dimethylamine impurities.
The name comes from the fact that it is a dimethyl substitute of formamide (amide of formic acid), and both methyl groups are located on the N (nitrogen) atom. Dimethylformamide is a polar (hydrophilic) aprotic solvent with high boiling point, which can promote the reaction mechanism of SN2. ?
Dimethylformamide is made of methyl formate and dimethylamine. Dimethylformamide is unstable (especially at high temperature) in the presence of strong alkali such as sodium hydroxide or strong acid such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, and it is hydrolyzed into formic acid and dimethylamine.
Extended data risk
DMF is used as a solvent for extracting acetylene and making polyacrylonitrile fiber, and also used in organic synthesis, dyes, medicine, petroleum refining and resin industry. In the above work, exposure to DMF vapor can be toxic. Most of the causes of acute poisoning are due to production failure, equipment leakage and cracking, or exposure to poisons without taking effective protective measures when overhauling equipment.
After long-term contact, symptoms of upper respiratory tract irritation and neurasthenia may occur. Symptoms of digestive system may occur at low concentration, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, etc. Long-term exposure and exceeding the limit may lead to abnormal liver function, proteinuria and ECG changes.
Baidu encyclopedia-dimethylformamide
Baidu encyclopedia-dimethylformamide poisoning