Dimethylformamide DMF Shandong Industrial Grade Dimethylformamide DMF Dimethylformamide Shandong Supplier Dimethylformamide DMF Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a transparent liquid that can be miscible with water and most organic solvents. It is a commonly used solvent for chemical reactions. Pure dimethylformamide has a special odor, while industrial grade or deteriorated dimethylformamide has a fishy smell because it contains impurities of dimethylamine. The name comes from the fact that it is a dimethyl substitute for formamide (the amide of formic acid), and both methyls are located on the N (nitrogen) atom. Dimethylformamide is a polar (hydrophilic) aprotic solvent with a high boiling point, which promotes the SN2 reaction mechanism. Dimethylformamide is manufactured from methyl formate and dimethylamine. Dimethylformamide is unstable (especially at high temperatures) in the presence of strong bases such as sodium hydroxide or strong acids such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and hydrolyzes to formic acid and dimethylamine. HCON (CH3) 2+H2O → (CH3) 2NH+HCOOH