N-Methylformamide (NMF) CAS 123-39-7

Introduction to NMF

N-Methylformamide is a monomethyl-substituted formamide solvent, featuring a polar amide group with one methyl substituent on the nitrogen atom. It appears as a colorless transparent liquid with a faint ammoniacal odor at room temperature, fully miscible with water, alcohols, esters and most polar organic solvents. Its high dielectric constant and strong polarity enable it to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds, inorganic salts and polar polymers.

Industrial production follows controlled reaction of formic acid with methylamine, followed by precision distillation to achieve target purity grades. Compared to dimethylformamide, NMF exhibits higher boiling point, lower volatility and stronger hydrogen bonding capability, making it suitable for high-temperature reactions and low-emission processing environments.

NMF Chemical & Physical Properties

Applications of NMF

Organic synthesis medium: Serves as a high-polarity reaction solvent for pharmaceutical intermediates, agrochemical active ingredients and specialty chemical synthesis. It promotes nucleophilic substitution, condensation and cyclization reactions, improving reaction rate, conversion yield and selectivity compared to conventional solvents.

Polymer processing solvent: Dissolves polar polymers such as polyacrylonitrile, polyamides and polyimides. It is used in fiber spinning, film casting and resin compounding processes, delivering good solution stability and uniform polymer rheology.

Acid gas treatment: Acts as a selective absorbent for removing carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans from natural gas, syngas and refinery streams. Its high absorption capacity and low regeneration energy make it an efficient alternative to traditional amine solvents.

Electronic and precision cleaning: Applied in semiconductor manufacturing for photoresist stripping and precision component cleaning. Its low volatility and strong solvency remove organic residues without leaving ionic contaminants, compatible with most wafer and substrate materials.

Storage & Safety Precautions for NMF

• Store in tightly sealed steel or HDPE containers in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse away from heat sources, open flame and strong oxidizers. Protect from moisture ingress to maintain product purity and specification.
• Wear chemical splash goggles, nitrile gloves and chemical-resistant clothing during bulk transfer. Avoid direct skin contact and prolonged vapor inhalation; the material is irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Use with adequate ventilation.
• Keep separated from strong acids, strong bases and strong reducing agents. Do not store with food or feed materials. Dispose of waste material in accordance with local environmental regulations.

NMF FAQ

Q: How does NMF differ from DMF as a solvent?

A: NMF has one methyl group on the amide nitrogen while DMF has two. NMF features a higher boiling point, lower volatility and stronger hydrogen bonding, making it more suitable for high-temperature reactions and low-emission processing.

Q: What are the core industrial applications of N-Methylformamide?

A: It is used as a reaction solvent for organic synthesis, a processing fluid for polar polymers, an absorbent for acid gas treatment, and a cleaning agent for electronic precision manufacturing.

Q: What safety and storage precautions apply to NMF?

A: Store sealed in a cool, ventilated place away from heat and oxidizers. Wear appropriate PPE during handling, avoid skin contact and vapor inhalation, and use with adequate ventilation.