High-Purity Solvents, Polyurethane (PU) and Resin

N,N-Diethylformamide (DEF)

N,N-Diethylformamide (DEF), identified by CAS number 617-84-5, is a significant polar aprotic solvent belonging to the amide family. Structurally, it consists of a formyl group attached to a nitrogen atom substituted with two ethyl groups ($C_5H_{11}NO$). As a higher homologue of the more common N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), DEF offers distinct physicochemical properties, primarily characterized by its higher boiling point and lower volatility. These attributes make it an attractive medium for high-temperature organic reactions and specialized industrial processes where thermal stability and solvent recovery are critical. DEF is recognized for its exceptional ability to dissolve a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds, facilitating its use as a reaction medium, extraction solvent, and cleaning agent in various high-tech sectors. While it shares some solvency characteristics with DMF and NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), its unique steric profile and hydrophobic-lipophilic balance allow for improved selectivity in certain catalytic transformations and specialized polymer processing applications.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Superior Solvency: Exhibits exceptional dissolving power for polar substances, resins, and complex organic molecules, often outperforming traditional ketones or esters.
High Thermal Stability: Features a high boiling point (approx. 177°C), allowing for high-temperature reaction conditions without solvent degradation or the need for high-pressure equipment.
Low Volatility: Its low vapor pressure minimizes evaporation losses during processing and reduces inhalation exposure risks compared to low-boiling solvents.
Reaction Enhancement: As a polar aprotic solvent, it effectively stabilizes transition states, thereby accelerating reaction rates in nucleophilic substitutions.
Recyclability: The chemical stability of the molecule facilitates efficient recovery and purification via vacuum distillation, supporting cost-effective and sustainable industrial operations.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Formula: $C_5H_{11}NO$
Molecular Weight: 101.15 g/mol
Physical State: Clear, colorless to slightly yellowish liquid with a faint amine-like odor.
Boiling Point: 176–178 °C at 760 mmHg.
Density: 0.908 g/cm³ at 25 °C.
Flash Point: 60 °C (140 °F) – Closed Cup.
Miscibility: Completely miscible with water and most common organic solvents, including ethanol, diethyl ether, and benzene.
Refractive Index: Approximately 1.434 at 20 °C.
Chemical Nature: Stable under standard conditions; however, it should be kept away from strong oxidizing agents and strong acids to prevent hydrolysis.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Chemical Synthesis: Serves as a premium solvent for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in peptide coupling and the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Electronics Manufacturing: Utilized in the formulation of high-efficiency photoresist strippers and cleaning agents for semiconductor wafers and electronic components.
Polymer Industry: Employed as a solvent for spinning synthetic fibers and as a medium for the production of high-performance coatings, films, and specialized resins.
Agrochemicals: Used in the formulation of concentrated pesticides and herbicides to ensure the stability and solubility of active ingredients.
Metallurgy and Extraction: Applied in specialized extraction processes and as a medium for certain transition-metal catalyzed industrial reactions.