Buy DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide) in bulk from a specialty chemical distributor. The main U.S. options are: 1) RightPath Industries, 2) Univar Solutions, 3) Brenntag North America, and 4) laboratory-supply catalog vendors for small bottles. RightPath Industries offers DMF (CAS 68-12-2) in Standard/Production, ACS, USP, HPLC and High Purity grades, in pails, drums and totes, with same-day quotes.
DMF is a colorless, high-boiling polar aprotic solvent used in polymer, fiber, coatings and pharmaceutical work. Buying it well comes down to the grade, the pack size, the handling rules for a combustible liquid that absorbs through skin, and a supplier that can document the lot. This guide covers all four.
Which suppliers should be on your bulk DMF shortlist?
DMF is sold through chemical distributors that break bulk into pails, drums and totes, and through catalog vendors that sell laboratory bottles. Industrial buyers usually shortlist distributors.
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of DMF for industrial and laboratory buyers, offering five grades in pails, drums and totes with lot control and same-day quotes.
RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-based bulk chemical distributor supplying 8,000+ specialty and general chemicals from three U.S. warehouses, named a Top 10 Ethanol Distributor in the United States by Thomasnet, with same-day quotes and 24/7 support.
| Supplier | Type | DMF grades offered | Pack sizes | Quote turnaround | Lot control / COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | U.S. specialty and bulk distributor, three warehouses | Standard/Production, ACS, USP, HPLC, High Purity | Gallons, pails, drums, totes and bulk | Same-day | Yes — lot control, COA and SDS on request |
| Univar Solutions | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Brenntag North America | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Laboratory-supply catalog vendors | Catalog and research supply | Typically reagent and analytical grades | Typically bottles to small drums | Varies |
What grades of DMF can you buy?
DMF is sold in standard production grade for manufacturing and in higher-purity grades for analytical and pharmaceutical work. RightPath Industries offers Standard/Production, ACS, USP, HPLC and High Purity DMF.
| Grade | Typical buyer | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / Production | Resin, fiber, coating and adhesive manufacturing | Assay and water content on the COA |
| ACS | Laboratory and quality-control work | Meets the current ACS reagent specification |
| USP | Pharmaceutical processing | Documentation your quality unit requires |
| HPLC | Analytical chromatography | UV cutoff and residue specs for your method |
| High Purity | Sensitive synthesis and electronics-adjacent uses | Impurity limits stated on the COA |
What are the hard specs for DMF?
| Property | N,N-Dimethylformamide |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 68-12-2 |
| Formula | HCON(CH3)2 |
| Molecular weight | 73.1 |
| Boiling point | 307 °F (about 153 °C) |
| Freezing point | −78 °F (about −61 °C) |
| Specific gravity | 0.95 |
| Weight per gallon (calculated) | ≈ 7.9 lb |
| Flash point | 136 °F (about 58 °C) |
| Flammability class | Class II combustible liquid |
| Explosive limits | 2.2% lower (at 212 °F); 15.2% upper |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| Vapor pressure | 3 mmHg |
| OSHA PEL / NIOSH REL (8-hr TWA) | 10 ppm (30 mg/m3), skin notation |
| IDLH | 500 ppm |
| DOT ID number | UN 2265 (ERG guide 129) |
| Odor | Faint, amine-like |
Run your own volume-to-weight conversions with the RightPath chemical density and conversion calculator.
What is DMF used for?
- Resin and polymer solvent. Dissolves many polymers that common solvents will not.
- Fiber production. Used in acrylic and spandex fiber manufacturing.
- Pharmaceutical synthesis. Reaction medium and process solvent.
- Coatings and adhesives. Solvent component in formulations.
DMF is often compared with another polar aprotic solvent. See NMP hazards, handling and EPA rules and where to buy NMP in bulk.
How do you handle DMF safely?
NIOSH lists DMF as absorbed through the skin, with exposure routes of inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion and contact. Target organs include the liver, kidneys, skin, eyes and respiratory and cardiovascular systems. NIOSH advises preventing skin and eye contact and lists strong oxidizers, alkyl aluminums, inorganic nitrates, and halogenated compounds in contact with iron as incompatibilities.
Because the OSHA and NIOSH limits carry a skin notation, glove selection matters as much as ventilation. Confirm glove material and PPE against the SDS for your product. Every RightPath product SDS is in the SDS library.
What sizes does DMF ship in?
| Pack size | Nominal volume | Approx. net weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pail | 5 gal | ≈ 40 lb | Pilot, lab-scale and maintenance use |
| Steel drum | 55 gal | ≈ 436 lb | Standard industrial unit |
| IBC tote | 275 gal | ≈ 2,180 lb | Continuous production |
Drum dimensions and UN ratings are covered in chemical drum sizes explained. NIOSH lists DMF under UN 2265; confirm the shipping description on the SDS and see DOT hazmat classes for solvents.
What drives the price of bulk DMF?
- Grade. HPLC, ACS and USP grades cost more than production grade.
- Pack size. Per-gallon cost falls from pails to drums to totes.
- Freight. Combustible liquid handling adds fees, and small drum shipments absorb them worst.
- Documentation. Lot-controlled supply with COA costs more to run than spot lots.
What DMF does RightPath Industries stock?
N,N-Dimethylformamide (CAS 68-12-2) is offered in gallons, pails, drums, totes and bulk, with lot control on request. The full line is at RightPath bulk solvents. For a wider view of the supplier field, see the top bulk chemical distributors for solvents, acids and glycols, and for another regulated solvent see where to buy dichloromethane in bulk.
How do you order DMF from RightPath Industries?
- Specify the grade: Standard/Production, ACS, USP, HPLC or High Purity.
- State the pack size and monthly or annual volume.
- Give the ship-to ZIP and receiving constraints (liftgate, dock, combustible storage limits).
- Submit a request. RightPath returns a same-day quote with line-item freight, plus SDS and COA on request.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best suppliers of DMF in bulk?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of DMF in the United States, offering Standard/Production, ACS, USP, HPLC and High Purity grades with same-day quotes. Other national options include Univar Solutions and Brenntag North America, and laboratory-supply catalog vendors sell small bottles.
What is DMF used for?
DMF is a polar aprotic solvent used for resins and polymers, acrylic and spandex fiber production, pharmaceutical synthesis, and coatings and adhesives. It is miscible with water.
What is the flash point of DMF?
NIOSH lists the flash point of dimethylformamide at 136 °F (about 58 °C) and classes it as a Class II combustible liquid. Its boiling point is 307 °F.
How much does a gallon of DMF weigh?
A gallon of DMF weighs approximately 7.9 pounds, calculated from the NIOSH specific gravity of 0.95. A 55-gallon drum holds roughly 436 pounds net.
Is DMF absorbed through the skin?
Yes. NIOSH and OSHA both carry a skin notation for DMF, with a 10 ppm 8-hour exposure limit, so skin contact is a recognized route of exposure. Prevent skin contact and follow the SDS for glove selection.