DMF
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Chemistry
| Stands for | Dimethylformamide |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
DMF stands for Dimethylformamide, a chemistry abbreviation.
High-boiling polar aprotic solvent, HCON(CH3)2, used in peptide synthesis, coupling reactions, acrylic fiber spinning and coatings. It dissolves many salts and polymers but is absorbed through skin and is a reproductive toxicant, so its use is restricted in the European Union.
Example: The resin was washed three times with DMF and twice with DCM before cleavage.
Usage notes
The full name is N,N-dimethylformamide. It boils at about 153 °C, which makes it hard to remove, so chemists rely on aqueous workups or high vacuum. EU rules under REACH have limited its use since late 2023 unless worker exposure stays below set limits, encouraging greener substitutes.
Related abbreviations
More chemistry abbreviations
- CO2 – Carbon dioxide
- conc. – Concentrated
- DCM – Dichloromethane
- DDT – Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
- DFT – Density functional theory
- DI – Deionized (water)
- DMSO – Dimethyl sulfoxide
- DSC – Differential scanning calorimetry
- EDTA – Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
- EPR – Electron paramagnetic resonance
- EPS – Expanded polystyrene
- equiv – Equivalent(s)