Applications of Dimethyl Ether

1.   Dimethyl ether (DME) has been increasingly used as a propellant in aerosol formulations to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are found to destroy the ozone layer of the atmosphere. DME is nontoxic and easily degrades in the troposphere. Several aerosol-based household products include colognes, hair sprays and dyes, personal care mousses, antiperspirants, and room air fresheners.

2.   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. The advantages of using DME are not only ultralow emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), but also, reduced engine noise or quiet combustion, practically soot-free or smokeless operation and high diesel thermal efficiency.

3.   DME is a useful intermediate for the preparation of many important chemicals, including methyl sulphate and dimethyl sulphate is an important commercial commodity as a solvent and also as an electrolyte in high energy density batteries. 

4.  Dimethyl ether is also an essential intermediate in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from coal or natural gas derived syngas (synthesis gas). 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 etc. can be formed using dimethyl ether as a feedstock.

5.  Dimethyl ether is a low-temperature solvent and extraction agent, applicable to specialised laboratory procedures. Its usefulness is limited by its low boiling point (−23 °C), but the same property facilitates its removal from reaction mixtures. Dimethyl ether is the precursor to the useful alkylating agent, trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate.