Dimethylformamide-A Colurless Harmful Organic Solvent: Application in

Synthetic Leather
What is it?
Dimethylformamide is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2NC(O)H. Commonly abbreviated as
DMF (although this acronym is sometimes used for dimethylfuran), this colourless liquid is miscible with
water and the majority of organic liquids. DMF is a common solvent for chemical reactions.
Dimethylformamide is odorless whereas technical grade or degraded samples often have a fishy smell
due to impurity of dimethylamine. As its name indicates, it is a derivative of formamide, the amide of
formic acid.

Primary Use of Dimethylformamide

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.
Application of DMF in industries
1. DMF is widely used in the production and processing of polymers, Spinning solvent for
polyacrylonitrile fibre and polyurethane fibre (spandex) and processing solvent for production of
polyurethane artificial and synthetic leather.
2. DMF is used for the separation and refining of acetylene from crude olefin gas.

3. DMF is used in extracting butadiene from the C4 distillate obtained by naptha cracking, etc. and
in separating isoprene from C5 distillate.
4. Used as a solvent for recovery of H2S or SO2 or elimination of HCl, Cl, HBr etc. in hydrocarbons.
5. DMF is also used in extracting solvent of aromatic hydrocarbons in petroleum refining.
6. Gases like acetylene that are difficult to liquefy and handle safely can be stored and transported
easily by dissolving them in DMF with a porous carrier solid (Ex. Calcium Silicate).
7. DMF is widely used as a solvent for reaction. Generally acetylation, chlorination, sulfonation and
various condensation and polymerization reactions are among those where DMF is used as a
solvent.
8. It is an excellent solvent for sulfonamide, vitamins, nitrofuran, quinoline, adrenaline, amine
chlorides, etc. It is widely used in the production of pharmaceuticals as a reaction solvent,
extracting solvent and crystallizing bath.
9. DMF easily dissolves basic dye pigments nitroso pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, azo
pigments and acid dye metal salts. It is also used as a solvent of colouring agent or an infiltrating
ink for various films, wood, leather, resins etc.
10. DMF alone or as mixed with methylene chloride, is used as a remover of varnish or lacquers.
Impact on Human Health
The liver is the target organ for the toxicity of DMF in humans. DMF has low acute toxicity and is slightly
to moderately irritating to the eyes and skin. Acute exposure to DMF has been observed to damage the
liver in animal studies and in humans and exposure to the skin can cause dermatitis. Chronic
occupational exposure DMF by inhalation has resulted in effects on the liver and digestive disturbances
in workers
Alternatives
Alternatives are available in the market, communicate with your chemical suppliers for specific
information regarding the alternative options. Below are some suggestions from my side Alternatives to DMF are found when substituting solvent based inks and dyes with water based
systems.
For many reactions, it can be replaced with dimethyl sulfoxide
Several chemical manufacturers also DMF free water based polyurethane, visit the following
links for the detailso http://www.bayercoatings.de/BMS/DB-RSC/BMS_RSC_CAS.nsf/id/PortalENBreakthrough-in-artificial-leather-solventfree-high-solid-raw-material
o https://sites.google.com/a/ecopufoam.com/www/