Dimethyl ether
Names | |
---|---|
IUPAC name
Methoxymethane
| |
Other names
Demeon
Dimethyl oxide Dymel A Mether Methyl ether Wood ether | |
Identifiers | |
Jmol-3D images | Image |
| |
Properties | |
CH3OCH3 C2H6O | |
Molar mass | 46.07 g/mol |
Appearance | Colorless gas |
Odor | Ether-like |
Density | 1.91855 g/cm3 (at 25°C) |
Melting point | −141 °C (−222 °F; 132 K) |
Boiling point | −24 °C (−11 °F; 249 K) |
71 g/l (at 20 °C) | |
Solubility | Soluble in acetone, chloroform, ethanol, methanol |
Vapor pressure | >100 kPa |
Thermochemistry | |
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
−184.1 kJ·mol−1 |
Hazards | |
Safety data sheet | Praxair |
Flash point | −41 °C |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds
|
Diethyl ether |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Infobox references | |
Dimethyl ether or DME, also known as methoxymethane, is the organic compound with the formula CH3OCH3 (or C2H6O).
It is the simplest ether and an isomer of ethanol.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Dimethyl ether is flammable and will burn when ignited in an oxygen atmosphere.
Dimethyl ether can be carbonylated to acetic acid:
- CH3-O-CH3 + 2 CO + H2O → 2 CH3-COOH
This reaction proceeds under high pressure.
Physical
Dimethyl ether is a colorless gas at standard conditions, with an ethereal smell. It melts at −141 °C and boils at −24 °C. DME is poorly soluble in water (71 g/l at standard conditions), but soluble in most organic solvents, such as acetone, chloroform, ethanol, methanol.
Availability
Dimethyl ether is available in some type of wart remover sprays, usually mixed with propane.
Some car starter fluids also contain dimethyl ether.
MAP-plus blowtorch gas blends may contain DME.
Preparation
Dimethyl ether can be prepared by dehydration of methanol, in the presence of a catalyst, such as conc. sulfuric acid. The resulting gaseous dimethyl ether is dried and either dissolved in a solvent or compressed in a gas tube.
Projects
- Low temperature organic extraction
- Make dimethyl sulfate
- Motor fuel
- Methylating agent for alkenes and toluene
Handling
Safety
Dimethyl ether is a flammable gas. It poses relative low toxicity.
Storage
In gas cylinders, which should be kept in cool and dark places, away from light and heat.
Unlike most common ethers, dimethyl ether does not form peroxides upon exposure to air. Therefor, DME solutions do not require antioxidants.
Disposal
DME can be safely burned or released in open air. It poses little threat to the environment.
References
Relevant Sciencemadness threads
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- Chemical compounds
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- Ethers
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