N,N-Dimethylacetamide

N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMA) is a transparent colorless liquid. The organic solvent can be mixed with any water, alcohol, ether, ester, benzene, chloroform, and aromatic compounds. It has a very good solvency for many resins and polymers. It is used in the production of acrylic fibers, films, sheets, and coatings, and as a reaction medium and intermediate in organic syntheses.

Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) is a synthetic organic compound that is produced from a reaction of dimethylamine and acetic acid or acetic anhydride. It is a colorless to yellow liquid with a faint odor resembling ammonia. DMAC has similar density to water and is miscible with water and organic substances. This organic compound is commonly associated with many industrial uses, either as a starting material or an intermediate. DMAC is a good solvent that is used in polymer dissolution, especially in the fiber industry. Historically, DMAC was also tested as a possible antineoplastic agent in a phase 1 study involving 17 patients. However, liver and central nervous system (CNS) toxicity associated with DMAC was observed and these patients had altered mental states, resulting in no further drug development.

Dimethylacetamide occurs as a clear, colorless, slightly hygroscopic liquid with a weak ammonia-like or fish-like odor. odor threshold concentration is 46.8 ppmv (Leonardos et al., 1969). It is soluble in a wide variety of solvents.

ChEBI: N,N-dimethylacetamide is a member of the class of acetamides that is acetamide in which the hydrogens attached to the N atom have been replaced by two methyl groups respectively. Metabolite observed in cancer metabolism. It has a role as a human metabolite. It is a member of acetamides and a monocarboxylic acid amide. It is functionally related to an acetamide.

Dimethylacetamide appears as a clear colorless liquid with a faint odor similar to ammonia. About the same density as water. Flash point 145°F. Vapors heavier than air. May by toxic by skin absorption. May irritate eyes and skin.

N,N-Dimethylacetamide is used as a polar solvent in organic synthesis as well as in reactions involving strong bases such as sodium hydroxide. It is also used as a solvent for fibers like polyacrylonitrile, spandex, as an excipient in drugs viz. vumon, busulfex and in the adhesive industry. It finds application as a reaction medium in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes and plasticizers. It is widely used in polymer industry due to its high solving power for high molecular-weight polymers and synthetic resins. It plays an important role as a catalyst in various reactions viz. cyclization, halogenation, cynidation, alkylation and dehydrogenation and increases the yield of main products. It is also used as an extracting agent for oil and gases, in paint removers, in the production of photo-resist stripping compounds and as booster solvent in coatings.

N,N-dimethylacetamide is an excellent solvent and often acts as a catalyst in halogenation, cyclization, and alkylation reactions. It is an important industrial solvent for polyacrylonitrile, vinyl resins, cellulose derivatives, styrene polymers and linear polyesters. It is also used in all analytical laboratories as a major component of mobile phase in High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and in Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). N,N-dimethylacetamide lithium chelate complexes intercalate cationic sites in layered silicates.