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Dimethylformamide

Athanor · official

C3H7NO · 73.09 g/mol

IUPAC name: N,N-dimethylformamide

Also called DMF, N,N-dimethylformamide

Open in Athanor
The structure of Dimethylformamide
Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit220
Harmful or irritantHealth hazardDangerHarmful in contact with skin · Causes serious eye irritation · Harmful if inhaled

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name
N,N-dimethylformamide
Synonyms
DMF, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE
+ 36 more

Dimethyl formamide, N-Formyldimethylamine, Formamide, N,N-dimethyl-, Dimethylformamid, DMFA, N,N-Dimethyl formamide, Formyldimethylamine, Dimetilformamide, Dwumetyloformamid, Dimetylformamidu, DMF (amide), NCI-C60913, DTXSID6020515, N,N Dimethylformamide, Dimethylamid kyseliny mravenci, N,N-Dimetilformamida, U-4224, NSC 5356, NSC-5356, Formic acid, amide, N,N-dimethyl-, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 366200, NSC5356, 8696NH0Y2X, DTXCID20515, CHEBI:17741, RefChem:6468, 200-679-5, N,N-Dimethylmethanamide, Dimethylforamide, dimethyl-Formamide, MFCD00003284, n,n-dimethyl-Formamide, N,N- Dimethylformamide, N,N-Dimethylformaldehyde, SCHEMBL5, N,N-Dimethylformamid

Molecular formula
C3H7NO
Empirical formula
C3H7NO
Molecular weight
73.09 g/mol
Exact mass
73.05276
CAS number
68-12-2
PubChem CID
6228
Canonical SMILES
CN(C)C=O
Isomeric SMILES
CN(C)C=O
InChI
InChI=1S/C3H7NO/c1-4(2)3-5/h3H,1-2H3
InChIKey
ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity
Appearance
Water-white liquid[6]
6 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–N,n-dimethylformamide appears as a water-white liquid with a faint fishy odor. Flash point 136 °F. Slightly less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. Toxic by inhalation or skin absorption. May irritate eyes.[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–Liquid; CBI[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–COLOURLESS-TO-YELLOW LIQUID WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Colorless to pale-yellow liquid with a faint, amine-like odor.[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–Colorless to pale-yellow liquid with a faint, amine-like odor.[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
–shownWater-white liquid[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 448
Odor
Fishy odor[6]
2 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–shownFishy odor[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data on Organic Chemicals. Volumes 1-2. 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons. New York, NY. 2001, p. V1 914
–Faint, amine-like odor[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg, p. 114
Melting point
-60.48 °C[7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
−61 °C-78 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
−61 °C-61 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
−61 °C-78 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
−60.5 °Cshown-60.48 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
−61 °C-78 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Boiling point
153 °C[3]
5 values

4 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
149 to 156 °C300 to 313 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
153 °Cshown153 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
153 °C307 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
153 °C153 °C @760 [mm Hg][7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
153 °C307 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Density
0.9455 @25 °C[7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
–0.95 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–Relative density (water = 1): 0.95[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–0.95[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–shown0.9455 @25 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
–0.95[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Solubility in water
Solubility in water: miscible[3]
3 values

From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
–shownSolubility in water: miscible[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Miscible[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
log P
log Kow = -1.01[6]
2 values

Sources disagree; from Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative.

ValueAs writtenSource
–shownlog Kow = -1.01[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Hansch, C., Leo, A., D. Hoekman. Exploring QSAR - Hydrophobic, Electronic, and Steric Constants. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society., 1995., p. 6
–-0.87[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
pKa
pKa = -0.30 (conjugate acid)[6]
Vapor pressure
Vapor pressure, kPa at 25 °C: 0.49[3]
5 values

2 of 4 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
3.7 mmHg3.7 mmHg at 77 °F[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
2.7 mmHg2.7 mmHg at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
3.87 mmHg3.87 mm Hg at 25 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Daubert TE, Danner RP; Physical and Thermodynamic Properties of Pure Chemicals Data Compilation. Washington, DC: Taylor and Francis (1985)
3.7 mmHgshownVapor pressure, kPa at 25 °C: 0.49[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
7.5 mmHg7.5 [mm Hg] @38 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy

2 more values were reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so they are not shown.

Flash point
58 °C (136 °F)[6]
7 values

4 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
67 °C153 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
67 °C67 °C (open cup)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Bingham, E.; Cohrssen, B.; Powell, C.H.; Patty's Toxicology Volumes 1-9 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons. New York, N.Y. (2001)., p. V4 1318
58 °C58 °C (Closed cup)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Bingham, E.; Cohrssen, B.; Powell, C.H.; Patty's Toxicology Volumes 1-9 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons. New York, N.Y. (2001)., p. V4 1318
58 °Cshown136 °F (58 °C)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites National Fire Protection Association; Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 14TH Edition, Quincy, MA 2010, p. 325-50
58 °C58 °C c.c.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
58 °C136 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
58 °C136 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Autoignition temperature
445 °C (833 °F)[6]
3 values

2 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
445 °C833 °F (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
445 °Cshown833 °F[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr. (ed) Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 11th Edition. Wiley-Interscience, Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. 2004., p. 1427
440 °C440 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Viscosity
0.802 cP at 25 °C[6]

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms
5
Rings
0
Aromatic rings
0
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3)
0.67
H-bond donors
0
H-bond acceptors
1
Rotatable bonds
1 computed here · PubChem 0
TPSA (Ų)
20.3
Formal charge
0
XLogP3
-1 PubChem
Complexity
33 PubChem
Stereocenters
None
Double-bond geometry
None specified
Point group
C1 of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

  • C49.30%
  • H9.65%
  • N19.16%
  • O21.89%

Isotope pattern

100%73.0533.7%74.05675.057

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P
-0.3 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility)
-0.04 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility
2.66 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

  • Molecular weight ≤ 500: 73.09
  • log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): -0.3
  • H-bond donors ≤ 5: 0
  • H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 1

Passes all four rules.

¹³C NMR shifts, predicted

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Danger

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [8].

  • Harmful or irritant
  • Health hazard
220
NFPA 704[6]
  • H312Harmful in contact with skin
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation
  • H332Harmful if inhaled

Precautionary statements: P203, P261, P264+P265, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P318, P321, P337+P317, P362+P364, P405, P501

View all classifications (3)
  • [8] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · DangerH312, H319, H332
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for < 0.1% (1 of 1434) of reports.
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 1,434 reports · DangerH226, H312, H319, H332, H360

Exposure limits

  • PEL-TWA (8-Hour Time Weighted Average): 10 ppm (30 mg/m³)[4]
  • PEL: TWA 10 ppm (30 mg/m3) [skin][5]
  • TLV: 5 ppm as TWA; (skin); A3 (confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans); BEI issued.[3]
  • TLV-TWA (Time Weighted Average): 5 ppm [2017][4]
  • IDLH: 500 ppm (NIOSH, 2024)[1]
  • IDLH: 500 ppm[6]

First aid

  • Eyes: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. Immediately transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. Skin: Immediately flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing.[1]
  • General First Aid: · Call 911 or emergency medical service. · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination. · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. · If victim is not breathing: -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance. -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped…[10]
  • (General first aid procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water flush promptly - If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly.[5]
  • Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.[3]

Storage

  • Separated from incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers.[3]
  • Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Handle and store under inert gas.[6]
  • Ideal materials for ... Storage are nonalloy (carbon) steels, austenitic chromium nickel steels ... And aluminum. Seals ... Should be made of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene or polypropylene of high molecular weight. Ethylene-propylene rubber may also be used. Graphite can be used for lubricating moving parts in contact with DMF ... Since dimethylformamide (DMF) is hygroscopic, it should be kept under a blanket of dry nitrogen. High purity DMF, as required for acrylic fibers, is best stored in aluminum tanks.[6]

Incompatibilities

  • CAN react vigorously WITH oxidizing agents, halogenated hydrocarbons, & inorg nitrates.[6]
  • Forms explosive mixture with air. Contact with carbon tetrachloride and other halogenated cmpds, particularly in contact with iron or strong oxidizers may cause fire and explosions. Vigorous reaction with alkylaluminums. Incompatible with non-oxidizing mineral acids; strong acids; chlorinated hydrocarbons; isocynates, inorganic nitrates; phenols, cresols, ammonia, bromine, chromic anhydride; magnesium nitrate, methylene diisocyanate, phosphorus trioxide, triethylaluminum. Attacks some plastics, rubber and coatings.[6]
  • Hot solutions of sodium tetrahydroborate (15.7% wt) in DMF will undergo a violent runaway thermal decomposition, the solid residue attaining a temperature of 310 °C. The induction period depends on temperature and is 45 hr at 62 °C and 45 min at 90 °C.[6]
  • ... DMF (reacts violently when) ... Exposed to nitrates, chromic acid ...[6]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: Thermo Fisher Scientific, LGC Standards, abcr GmbH.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

  1. [1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  2. [2]EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · Public domain (US EPA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  3. [3]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  4. [4]Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) · Public domain (US DOL) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  5. [5]The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) · Public domain (US CDC) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  6. [6]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  7. [7]PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy · Public domain (US DOE) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  8. [8]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  9. [9]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  10. [10]Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) · Public domain (US DOT) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  11. [11]NMRShiftDB · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  12. [12]Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  13. [13]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  14. [14]NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  15. [15]MassBank Europe · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  16. [16]MassBank of North America (MoNA) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  17. ·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
  18. ·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.