Dimethylformamide
The polar aprotic amide solvent supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as DMF, the standard solvent for polyurethane synthetic leather, acrylic and spandex fibre spinning, and specialty organic synthesis — exported from Indonesia in drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Dimethylformamide is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a polar aprotic amide solvent, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Dimethylformamide is the N,N-dimethyl amide of formic acid, a small, highly polar molecule that, like NMP, carries no hydrogen on its nitrogen and is therefore aprotic. That combination of strong polarity without protic character lets it dissolve an unusually wide range of both polar and non-polar materials, including many polymers that resist dissolution in ordinary solvents.
At room temperature it is a colourless liquid with a faint, slightly fishy amine odour, fully miscible with water and most organic solvents. It is thermally and chemically stable under normal processing conditions but slowly hydrolyses to dimethylamine and formic acid under prolonged exposure to water and heat, so moisture control matters in long-term storage.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
DMF's largest use is as the solvent for polyurethane in synthetic (PU) leather and coated-fabric manufacture, where polyurethane resin dissolved in DMF is coated onto a substrate and the solvent is extracted in a water bath to leave the characteristic microporous PU leather structure. It is also the standard spinning solvent for acrylic and spandex (elastane) fibre, and a widely used solvent and reagent in pharmaceutical and agrochemical synthesis.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Dimethylformamide in synthetic-leather/fibre-spinning grade (99.8%+ assay, low water content) suitable for PU-leather, acrylic/spandex-fibre and specialty-synthesis applications, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Dimethylformamide is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Dimethylformamide is manufactured by the carbonylation of dimethylamine with carbon monoxide, typically using a sodium or potassium methoxide catalyst: (CH₃)₂NH + CO → HCON(CH₃)₂. The crude product is purified by distillation to the required low-water, fibre-grade specification.
Why carbonylation of dimethylamine is the standard process
Reacting dimethylamine directly with carbon monoxide under base catalysis gives a single, efficient catalytic step from two widely available feedstocks, which is why it has been the dominant commercial process since DMF demand grew with the synthetic-fibre and PU-leather industries.
Industries and processes that use it
Dimethylformamide is consumed across synthetic-leather, fibre-spinning and fine-chemical synthesis, where its strong, versatile polar solvency is the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Polyurethane (PU) Synthetic Leather
Dissolves polyurethane resin for coating onto fabric or release paper; the solvent is then extracted in a water bath to form the characteristic microporous PU-leather structure.
Acrylic & Spandex Fibre Spinning
The standard spinning solvent for polyacrylonitrile (acrylic) fibre and spandex (elastane) fibre, dissolving the polymer for extrusion through spinnerets.
Pharmaceutical & Agrochemical Synthesis
Widely used as a solvent and, in some reactions, a reagent in pharmaceutical and agrochemical fine-chemical synthesis given its strong, versatile solvency.
Specialty Coatings & Electronics Processing
Used in selected specialty coating and electronics-processing applications where its high polarity and boiling point are advantageous.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The polar, aprotic amide group governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry and its role as a solvent. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways DMF is used or converted.
Polymer Dissolution (Solvency Role)
Strongly dissolves polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile and spandex-precursor polymers without reacting chemically with them, the basis of its primary role as a fibre and PU-leather solvent.
Hydrolysis (Minor Degradation Pathway)
Slowly hydrolyses to dimethylamine and formic acid under prolonged exposure to water and heat, a consideration in long-term storage and in wet-coagulation PU-leather processing.
Vilsmeier-Haack Reagent Formation
Reacts with phosphorus oxychloride to form the Vilsmeier reagent, used in pharmaceutical and fine-chemical formylation reactions, a specialty reactive use beyond its role as a bulk solvent.
Catalytic Carbonylation (Upstream)
Dimethylamine reacts with carbon monoxide under base catalysis to form DMF itself, the dominant industrial route in the whole chain.
Dimethylformamide against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing DMF for synthetic-leather, fibre-spinning or fine-chemical synthesis often need a related polar aprotic solvent. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimethylformamide | 68-12-2 | Polar aprotic amide solvent | The product on this page — the standard PU-leather and acrylic/spandex fibre-spinning solvent. |
| N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone | 872-50-4 | High-boiling polar aprotic solvent | A related polar aprotic solvent widely used in battery-materials and polymer processing — see its product page. |
| Acrylonitrile | 107-13-1 | Vinyl nitrile monomer | The monomer for the acrylic fibre DMF is used to spin — see its product page. |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | 78-93-3 | Fast-drying ketone solvent | A related but less polar coatings solvent in our range — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Dimethylformamide.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Flammable liquid and vapour.
Harmful in contact with skin.
Causes serious eye irritation.
May damage the unborn child.
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection are mandatory for routine handling.
May damage the unborn child; minimise exposure, particularly for pregnant workers, and follow MSDS handling precautions strictly.
Repeated or prolonged exposure has been associated with liver effects; good ventilation and exposure control are essential.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS07 irritant and GHS08 reproductive-hazard pictograms apply.
This compound is a flammable liquid that is harmful in contact with skin, causes serious eye irritation, and may damage the unborn child, with repeated or prolonged exposure also associated with liver effects. It must be handled only with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection, minimising skin contact and exposure for pregnant workers in particular. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area away from moisture and heat, both of which accelerate hydrolysis to dimethylamine and formic acid, and away from strong oxidizing agents. Only trained personnel using proper PPE should handle this material given its reproductive-hazard classification. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check water and amine content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Dimethylformamide leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Dimethylformamide shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Dimethylformamide used for?+
02What is the CAS number of DMF?+
03How is DMF made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why is DMF used to make PU synthetic leather?+
06Is Dimethylformamide hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone as well?+
Need Dimethylformamide on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.