N-Methylformamide (NMF) is a colorless, nearly odorless, organic compound and secondary amide with molecular formula CH3NHCHO, which is a liquid at room temperature. NMF is mainly used as a reagent in various organic syntheses with limited applications as a highly polar solvent. NMF is closely related to other formamides, notably formamide and dimethylformamide (DMF). However, industrial use and production of NMF are far less than for either of these other formamides. DMF is favored over NMF as a solvent due to its greater stability. Annual production of NMF can be assumed to be significantly less than the production of either formamide (100,000 tons) or DMF (500,000 tons). Structure and properties Like DMF and formamide, each of the two rotamers of NMF are described by two principal resonance structures: This description highlights the partial double bond that exists between the carbonyl carbon and nitrogen, which gives rise to a high rotational barrier. Thus, the molecule is not able to freely rotate around its main axis and the (E)-configuration is preferred due to steric repulsion of the larger substituents. This molecule has been tentatively identified in interstellar space by the ALMA radio telescope. It may have formed on dust grains. This could prove to be a key molecule for interstellar pre-biotic chemistry due to its peptide bond. Preparation NMF is typically prepared by allowing methylamine to react with methyl formate: CH3NH2 + HCOOCH3 → CH3NHCHO + CH3OH A less common alternative to this process is transamidation involving formamide: HCONH2 + CH3NH2 → CH3NHCHO + NH3 Uses NMF is a specialized solvent in oil refineries. It is a precursor in specialized amidation reactions where formamide would not be suitable. These reactions can generally be categorized by the following equation: R-Lg + CH3NHCHO → R-NCH3CHO + H-Lg (where Lg is a leaving group). Laboratory uses NMF is the precursor to methyl isocyanide, a ligand in coordination chemistry. NMF is used as a solvent in Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors. References Formamides Amide solvents Solvents