chemical reagent DME
Dimethyl ether (DME) has been increasingly used as a propellant in aerosol
formulations to replace chlorofluorocarbons, which are found to destroy the
ozone layer of the atmosphere. DME is nontoxic and easily degrades in the
troposphere. So DME could become a more widely used propellant in the next five
years. Several aerosol-based household products include colognes, hair sprays
and dyes, personal care mousses, antiperspirants, and room air fresheners.
DME has very promising uses as an ultra-clean transportation fuel as well as a
fuel for power generation. DME has a high cetane value of about 55-60 and can be
directly and effectively used for DME diesel engines. Burning DME in diesel
engines results in a lower NOx with no SOx, thus also contributing to the
societal air quality..
DME is an useful intermediate for the preparation of many important chemicals,
including methyl sulfate. Dimethyl sulfate is an important commercial commodity
as a solvent and also as an electrolyte in high energy density batteries.
It may be used directly as a transportation fuel in admixture with methanol or
as a fuel additive. In particular, dimethyl ether is shaping up as an ultraclean
alternative fuel for diesel engines. The advantages of using DME are ultralow
emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), reduced engine noise or quiet combustion,
practically soot-free or smokeless operation and hence no exhaust
aftertreatment, and high diesel thermal efficiency.

Dimethyl ether is also an essential intermediate in the synthesis of
hydrocarbons from coal or natural gas derived syngas. Lower olefins like
ethylene and propylene or higher molecular weight compounds such as gasoline
range boiling hydrocarbons are produced from syngas using dimethyl ether as an
intermediate. A variety of specialty industrial chemicals such as oxygenates,
acetaldehyde, acetic acid, ethylene glycol intermediate like DMET, etc. can be
formed using dimethyl ether as a feedstock.