Dimethyl sulfate is a chemical compound with formula (CH3O)2SO2. As the diester of methanol and sulfuric acid, its formula is often written as (CH3)2SO4 or even Me2SO4, where CH3 or Me is methyl. Me2SO4 is mainly used as a methylating agent in organic synthesis. Under standard conditions, Me2SO4 is a colourless oily liquid with a slight onion-like odour (although smelling it would represent significant exposure). Like all strong alkylating agents, Me2SO4 is extremely toxic. Its use as a laboratory reagent has been superseded to some extent by methyl triflate, CF3SO3CH3, the methyl ester of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.
Formula
C2H6O4S
Molecular Weight
126.132
Exact Mass
125.999
LogP
0.6048
PSA
60.98
Synonyms
Sulfuric acid, dimethyl ester
METHYL SULFATE
Dimethylsulfat
dimethyl sulphate
Methanesulfate
Sulfuricacid, dimethyl ester
Dimethylsulfaat
Dimetilsolfato
dimethyl sulafte
DIMETHYL SULFATE
Methylsulphate
sulfuric acid dimethyl ester
Dimethoxysulfone
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Properties
Appearance & Physical State
Clear oily liquid
Density
1.333
Boiling Point
188ºC
Melting Point
-32ºC
Flash Point
83ºC
Refractive Index
1.386-1.388
Stability
Stable; combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases including ammonia. Moisture-sensitive.
