Dimethyl ether

C₂H₆OMolar mass46.069 g·mol Appearance Colorless gas OdorEthereal Density2.1146 kg m (gas, 0 °C, 1013 mbar)
0.735 g/mL (liquid, −25 °C) Melting point−141 °C; −222 °F; 132 K Boiling point−24 °C; −11 °F; 249 K

Solubility in water

71 g/L (at 20 °C (68 °F)) log P0.022 Vapor pressure592.8 kPa

Magnetic susceptibility (χ)

−26.3×10 cm mol

Dipole moment

1.30 D Thermochemistry

Heat capacity(C)

65.57 J K mol

Std enthalpy of
formation(Δ_fH₂₉₈)

−184.1 kJ mol

Std enthalpy of
combustion(Δ_cH₂₉₈)

−1460.4 kJ mol Hazards GHS labelling:

Pictograms

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H220

Precautionary statements

P210, P377, P381, P403NFPA 704 (fire diamond)

2

4

1

Flash point−41 °C (−42 °F; 232 K)

Autoignition
temperature

350 °C (662 °F; 623 K) Explosive limits27 % Safety data sheet (SDS) ≥99% Sigma-AldrichRelated compounds

Related ethers

Related compounds

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

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Dimethyl ether (DME; also known as methoxymethane) is the organic compound with the formula CH₃OCH₃, (sometimes ambiguously simplified to C₂H₆O as it is an isomer of ethanol). The simplest ether, it is a colorless gas that is a useful precursor to other organic compounds and an aerosol propellant that is currently being demonstrated for use in a variety of fuel applications.

Dimethyl ether was first synthesised by Jean-Baptiste Dumas and Eugene Péligot in 1835 by distillation of methanol and sulfuric acid.