6071. Dimethyl Ether

Nomenclature

CAS number: 115-10-6
1,1′-Oxybismethane; methoxymethane; methyl ether.
C2H6O; mol wt 46.07.
C 52.14%, H 13.13%, O 34.73%.

Description and references

Prepn: J. Dumas, E. Peligot, Ann. 15, 1 (1835); and thermal properties: R. M. Kennedy et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 63, 2267 (1941). Atmospheric chemistry: S. M. Japar et al., Int. J. Chem. Kinet. 22, 1257 (1990). Review: H. Hver in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry vol. A8 (VCH, Weinheim, 1987) pp 541-544; of use in diesel engines: A. M. Rouhi, Chem. Eng. News 73, 37-39 (May 29, 1995).

Chemical structure

Properties

Colorless, flammable gas with a slight ethereal odor. mp 141.50°. bp 24.82°. d25 (1 atm) 1.91855 g/l. Heat capacity at 210.51 K: 23.88 cal/deg/mole. Heat of vaporization at bp: 5141.0 cal/mole. Heat of fusion: 1179.8 cal/mole. Flash pt 41°C. One vol water takes up 37 vols gas.

Use

Aerosol propellant; alternative diesel fuel; chemical intermediate.