Specification parameters

essential information

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and widely used chemical raw material. It is an important organic synthesis intermediate with functional groups such as carbonyl, methyl, and methoxy in its molecular structure. DMC has various reaction properties and is safe, convenient, less polluting, and easy to transport in production. Due to its low toxicity, dimethyl carbonate is a "green" chemical product with promising development prospects.

application area 

The excellent properties and unique molecular structure of DMC determine its wide range of applications, which can be summarized as follows:

Replace phosgene as a carbonylation agent

Although phosgene (Cl-CO-Cl) has high reactivity, its highly toxic and corrosive byproducts put enormous environmental pressure on it, and therefore it will gradually be phased out; DMC (CH3O-CO-OCH3) has a similar nucleophilic reaction center. When the carbonyl group of DMC is subjected to nucleophilic attack, the acyl oxygen bond is broken, forming a carbonyl compound, and the byproduct is methanol. Therefore, DMC can replace phosgene as a safe reaction reagent for the synthesis of carbonate derivatives, such as carbamate pesticides, polycarbonate, and isohydrogen esters. Among them, polycarbonate will be the field with a large demand for DMC, and it is predicted that more than 80% of DMC will be used for the production of polycarbonate in 2005;

Replace dimethyl sulfate as a methylating agent

Due to reasons similar to phosgene, DMS (CH3O-SO-OCH3) is also under pressure to be eliminated, and when the methyl carbon of DMC is attacked by hydrogen nuclei, its alkyl oxygen bond is broken, producing methylated products. Moreover, using DMC has a higher yield and simpler process than DMS reaction. The main applications include the synthesis of organic intermediates, pharmaceutical products, pesticide products, etc;

Low toxicity solvent

DMC has excellent solubility, narrow melting and boiling point range, high surface tension, low viscosity, small dielectric constant, and high evaporation temperature and speed. Therefore, it can be used as a low toxicity solvent in the coating industry and pharmaceutical industry. From Table 1, it can be seen that DMC not only has low toxicity, but also has the characteristics of high flash point, low vapor pressure, and high lower explosive limit in air. Therefore, it is a green solvent that combines cleanliness and safety.

Gasoline additive

DMC has high oxygen content (up to 53% in molecules), excellent octane value increasing effect ((R+M)/2=105), no phase separation, low toxicity, and rapid biodegradability. When gasoline reaches the same oxygen content, the amount of DMC used is 4.5 times less than that of methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE), thereby reducing the total emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde in automobile exhaust. In addition, it overcomes the disadvantages of commonly used gasoline additives being easily soluble in water and polluting groundwater sources. Therefore, DMC will become one of the more promising gasoline additives to replace MTBE. At the 2002 American Chemical Society conference, Tianjin University's pollution-free and low-cost production technology for gasoline additive DMC became one of the three most eye-catching inventions, indicating that the advantages of DMC as a gasoline additive have been widely recognized.

Packaging, Storage, Transportation, and Safety
Reserve Attention

Flammable, its vapor can form an explosive mixture when mixed with air and stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated non combustible warehouse.
Stay away from sources of fire and heat. The storage temperature should not exceed 37 ℃. Keep the container sealed. It should be stored separately from oxidants, reducing agents, acids, etc., and avoid mixing storage. Adopt explosion-proof lighting and ventilation facilities. Prohibit the use of mechanical equipment and tools that are prone to generating sparks.
The storage area should be equipped with emergency response equipment for leaks and suitable containment materials stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated non combustible warehouse.
The storage area should be equipped with emergency response equipment for leaks and suitable containment materials. Occupational exposure limits (China) have not established standard occupational exposure limits (the United States). No standard monitoring methods have been established. The production process should be sealed without data. Ventilation and respiratory system protection should be strengthened. When the concentration in the air exceeds the standard, filter type gas masks (half masks) should be worn. If necessary, chemical safety goggles should be worn for body protection, anti-static work clothes for hand protection, rubber oil resistant gloves for other protective measures. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the work site. After work, take a shower and change clothes. Pay special attention to eye and respiratory protection.

Transportation precautions

Packaging label: Flammable liquid packaging method: Ampoule bottle, ordinary wooden box outside; Precautions for transportation of threaded glass bottles, iron cap pressed glass bottles, plastic bottles or metal drums (cans) in ordinary wooden boxes. During transportation, the transport vehicle should be equipped with corresponding types and quantities of fire-fighting equipment and emergency response equipment for leaks.
It is recommended to transport in the morning and evening during summer. The tank truck used for transportation should have a grounding chain, and a perforated partition can be installed inside the tank to reduce static electricity generated by vibration. It is strictly prohibited to mix and transport with oxidants, reducing agents, acids, edible chemicals, etc. During transportation, it should be protected from direct sunlight, rain, and high temperatures. When stopping midway, one should stay away from sources of fire, heat, and high temperature areas. The exhaust pipe of the vehicle carrying the item must be equipped with a flame retardant device.