Dimethyl Formamide (DMF): High Purity, REACH—Ready to Ship?

If you work with high-purity polar aprotic solvents, chances are you’ve had a love–hate relationship with Dimethyl Formamide at some point. It’s everywhere in coatings, pharma, and synthetics—and for good reason. The interesting twist: the linked supplier page also lists formamide, which sits in the same amide family; many distributors (including the one above in Shijiazhuang, China) stock both, so it’s smart to ask for the specific DMF COA/SDS you need.

What’s trending with Dimethyl Formamide (DMF)

Two realities are shaping DMF demand: stricter worker-safety rules and the ongoing boom in polyurethane (PU) synthetic leather and specialty coatings. Electronics and pharma-grade demand remain steady, but customers are increasingly asking for low-water, low-amine DMF to stabilize reaction profiles. Surprisingly, lead times have eased this quarter, yet price sensitivity is back—no one wants to overpay for water content they’ll have to strip out later.

Typical technical specs

Below are representative specs for industrial-grade DMF used in PU processing (your actual COA may differ a bit, to be honest):

Process flow and real-world use

Dimethyl Formamide is typically produced via methyl formate and dimethylamine routes; reliable supply hinges on clean feedstocks and tight water control. Common applications: PU resin synthesis, synthetic leather coagulation, acrylic fiber spinning, pharma intermediates, and selective stripping in electronics. Shelf life is usually 12–24 months in unopened drums or IBCs; service life in-process varies—water pickup is the silent killer, so closed transfer and nitrogen padding help.

Testing—beyond basic COA—often includes GC for residual amines, conductivity for ionic load, and trace metals (ICP) for electronics. Customers in pharma also ask for USP/Ph. Eur.-aligned impurity limits; not every lot will qualify, so, actually, pre-approval samples are a must.

Advantages (and a few cautions)

• High solvency power for polar polymers; excellent PU compatibilities.
• Predictable evaporation profile; manageable flash point.
• Available in low-water, low-amine custom cuts.
• Caution: regulated under REACH/CLP; robust ventilation and PPE are non-negotiable.

Vendor comparison (indicative)

Customization, packaging, and feedback

Buyers frequently request low-water DMF (≤300 ppm), amine-controlled grades for API steps, and electronics-washed drums. Packaging: 200 kg drums, IBCs, or ISO tanks. One coatings customer told us, “Switching to tighter water spec cut our drying time by ~8%,” which tracks with our lab notes.

Mini case studies

• Footwear PU line: switching to Dimethyl Formamide with ≤0.03% water improved coagulation uniformity and reduced pinholes by about 12%.
• PCB stripping: a controlled-amine DMF blend reduced copper undercut and held bath stability for an extra 3 days—small change, real money.

Safety note: DMF is classified for reproductive toxicity in the EU. Use closed systems, monitor exposure, and follow your SDS, no excuses.

References

1. PubChem Compound Summary: Dimethylformamide (DMF), CAS 68-12-2.
2. ECHA (REACH/CLP) dossier: N,N-Dimethylformamide—classification and labeling.
3. ASTM E203 – Standard Test Method for Water Using Karl Fischer Titration.
4. ASTM D4052 – Standard Test Method for Density, Liquid Hydrocarbons by Oscillating U-Tube.