Dimethyl terephthalate

Description

Dimethyl terephthalate · CAS 120-61-6 · C10H10O4. UNII IKZ2470UNV. Boiling Point: 288 °C; Melting Point: 284 to 288 °F (NTP, 1992); Melting Point: 141 °C.

Identification

CAS Registry Number	120-61-6
PubChem CID	8441
Molecular formula	C10H10O4
IUPAC name	dimethyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate
UNII (FDA)	IKZ2470UNV

Computed Descriptors

Molecular Weight	194.18
XLogP3	2.2
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count	0
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count	4
Rotatable Bond Count	4
Exact Mass	194.05790880
Monoisotopic Mass	194.05790880
Topological Polar Surface Area	52.6
Heavy Atom Count	14
Formal Charge	0

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point	288 °C
Melting Point	284 to 288 °F (NTP, 1992)
Melting Point	141 °C
Melting Point	140 °C
Flash Point	308 °F (NTP, 1992)
Flash Point	141 °C
Flash Point	146 °C OC
Flash Point	308 °F (153 °C) (Open cup)
Flash Point	141 °C c.c.
Solubility	0.3 G/ML IN HOT WATER

Physical description & handling notes

• Dimethyl terephthalate appears as white solid or heated colorless liquid. Has no odor. Liquid solidifies in cool water. Solid and liquid sink in water. (USCG, 1999)
• Large Crystals; Dry Powder
• Colorless solid; [Hawley] White solidified mass; [MSDSonline]
• WHITE FLAKES.
• Colorlesss crystals
• NEEDLES FROM ETHER

Regulatory Status

Regulatory & Food Contact	FDA Cumulative Estimated Daily Intake (CEDI): FCS FDA Inventory of Food Contact Substances Listed in 21 CFR: FCS
GHS notification summary	75.8% (405 / 534)

GHS Hazard Classification

GHS notification summary	75.8% (405 / 534)
Reported hazard statements	H317 (13.7%), H335, H320, H401, H303, H316, H372

Documented Uses

• Used to make polyester resins (polyethylene terephthalate for film and fibers); [Hawley]
• Polyester resins for film and fiber production, especially polyethylene terephthalate; intermediate.
• For use in polymer fibers, polyethylene terphthalate (PET) solid-state resins, polyester film, polybutylene terephthalate and PET engineering resins, and miscellaneous including cyclohexanedimethanol, terephthaloyl chloride, copolyester-ether elastomers, plasticizers, and liquid crystal polymers.
• Dimethyl terephthalate is used as an industrial intermediate to manufacture polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and dioctyl terephthalate. ...
• ... Used to make saturated polyesters with aliphatic diols as the comonomer.
• PRODUCT PROFILE: DMT /dimethyl terephthalate/. Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is used mainly to produce polyester resins, fibres, and films as well as engineering resins. The polyesters produced are used in fibres for the textile industry, the manufacture of food and drink containers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and films used in photography, computers, audio-visual equipment and packaging.

Synonyms

DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE; 120-61-6; Dimethyl p-phthalate; 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester; Dimethyl 4-phthalate; Terephthalic Acid Dimethyl Ester; dimethyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate; Di-Me terephthalate; Dimethyl 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; Dimethyl p-benzenedicarboxylate; Terephthalic acid, dimethyl ester; Methyl 4-carbomethoxybenzoate; Methyl p-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoate; dimethylterephthalate; NCI-C50055; DTXSID0020498

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the CAS number and molecular formula of Dimethyl terephthalate?

CAS 120-61-6; molecular formula C10H10O4; molecular weight — g/mol.

What other names is Dimethyl terephthalate known by?

DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE, 120-61-6, Dimethyl p-phthalate, 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester, Dimethyl 4-phthalate, Terephthalic Acid Dimethyl Ester.

What is the regulatory status of Dimethyl terephthalate?

Documented regulatory listings: FDA Cumulative Estimated Daily Intake (CEDI): FCS; FDA Inventory of Food Contact Substances Listed in 21 CFR: FCS.

Is Dimethyl terephthalate classified as hazardous?

75.8% of GHS notifications report no hazard classification (405 of 534).

What are the key physical properties of Dimethyl terephthalate?

Boiling Point: 288 °C; Melting Point: 284 to 288 °F (NTP, 1992); Melting Point: 141 °C; Melting Point: 140 °C.

Facts on this page are taken from PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) and Wikidata. Grade-specific data — assay, moisture, particle size, packaging, shelf life — is issued per batch on the COA and is not published here.