What is Dimethyl carbonate?

Dimethyl carbonate is an organic compound with the chemical formula C3H6O3. It is a chemical raw material with low toxicity, excellent environmental protection properties and a wide range of uses. It is an important organic synthesis intermediate. It has the characteristics of less pollution and easy transportation. The appearance of dimethyl carbonate is colorless liquid with aromatic odor; molecular weight is 90.078, insoluble in water, miscible in most organic solvents, miscible in acids and bases.

Dimethyl carbonate2 Dimethyl carbonate1

Use of dimethyl carbonate

(1)Substitute phosgene as carbonylating agent
DMC has a similar nucleophilic reaction center. When the carbonyl group of DMC is attacked by a nucleophile, the acyl-oxygen bond is broken to form a carbonyl compound, and the by-product is methanol. Therefore, DMC can replace phosgene as a safe reagent to synthesize carbonic acid derivatives. , Polycarbonate will be the area with the largest demand for DMC.

(2)Substitute dimethyl sulfate as methylating agent
When the methyl carbon of DMC is attacked by a nucleophile, its alkyl-oxygen bond is broken, and a methylated product is also generated, and the reaction yield of DMC is higher than that of dimethyl sulfate, and the process is simpler. The main uses include synthetic organic intermediates, pharmaceutical products, pesticide products, etc.

(3)low toxicity solvent
DMC has excellent solubility, narrow melting and boiling point ranges, large surface tension, low viscosity, low dielectric constant, high evaporation temperature and fast evaporation rate, so it can be used as a low-toxic solvent for coatings Industrial and pharmaceutical industries. DMC is not only low in toxicity, but also has the characteristics of high flash point, low vapor pressure and lower explosion limit in air, so it is a green solvent that combines cleanliness and safety.

(4)Gasoline additives
DMC has the properties of high oxygen content (up to 53% oxygen content in the molecule), excellent octane-enhancing effect, no phase separation, low toxicity and rapid biodegradability, and reduces the amount of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde in automobile exhaust. In addition, it also overcomes the shortcomings of common gasoline additives that are easily soluble in water and pollute groundwater sources. Therefore, DMC will become one of the most potential gasoline additives to replace MTBE.

Storage and Transportation of Dimethyl Carbonate

Storage Precautions: It is flammable, and its vapor mixes with air, which can form an explosive mixture. Store it in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated non-combustible warehouse. Keep away from fire and heat sources. The library temperature should not exceed 37℃. Keep container tightly closed. It should be stored separately from oxidants, reducing agents, acids, etc., and should not be mixed. Use explosion-proof lighting and ventilation facilities. Prohibit the use of mechanical equipment and tools that are prone to sparks. The storage area should be equipped with leakage emergency treatment equipment and suitable containment materials, which should be stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated non-combustible warehouse.

Transportation Precautions: Packing Marks Flammable Liquid Packaging Method Common wooden box outside ampoules; Ordinary wooden box outside screw-top glass bottles, iron-capped glass bottles, plastic bottles or metal barrels (cans) Transportation precautions Transportation vehicles Fire-fighting equipment and leakage emergency treatment equipment should be equipped with corresponding varieties and quantities.


Post time: Sep-07-2022