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Isosorbide Dimethyl Ether
CAS: 5306-85-4
SKU: S2440
Isosorbide Dimethyl Ether | SKU: S2440
synonyms: Dimethyl isosorbide; DMI; Arlasolve DMI; 1,4:3,6-Dianhydro-2,5-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol; Isosorbide dimethyl ether; 3,6-Dimethoxyhexahydrofuro[3,2-b]furan
Isosorbide Dimethyl Ether
Isosorbide dimethyl ether, widely known as dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) and sold commercially under trade names such as Arlasolve DMI, is a bio-based, high-purity, water-miscible solvent made from isosorbide, which in turn is derived from sorbitol (a sugar alcohol obtained from starch). It is a clear liquid with a density of 1.15 g/mL at 25 °C, a refractive index of n20/D 1.461 and a reference assay of 98%. DMI combines strong solvency for both polar and moderately lipophilic compounds with low volatility, low odour and a favourable environmental profile. Those qualities have made it a popular solvent and penetration-enhancing vehicle in cosmetic and topical formulations, a green alternative to polar aprotic solvents such as NMP and DMF in synthesis and polymer processing, and a co-solvent and coalescing agent in water-borne coatings. Sarchem Labs offers isosorbide dimethyl ether (SKU S2440) for formulators, coatings and polymer producers, and research chemists. Each lot is documented with a Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet, and quantities from laboratory pack sizes to drums can be quoted on request.
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Specifications

Boiling Point93–95°C at 0.1 mmHg (lit.)
Density1.15 g/mL at 25°C (lit.)
Flash Point116°C (240.8°F), closed cup
ColorYellow
Formula Weight174.20
Physical FormClear Liquid at 20°C
Chemical Name or Material1,4:3,6-Dianhydro-2,5-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol
Molecular Weight174.19 g/mol
SMILES StringCO[C@H]1COC2[C@@H](COC12)OC
Refractive Indexn20/D 1.461 (lit.)
Assay98%
CAS Number5306-85-4
EC Number226-159-8
NACRESNA.22
PubChem Substance ID24854898
UNSPSC Code12352005
MDL NumberMFCD00064828
InChI1S/C8H14O4/c1-9-5-3-11-8-6(10-2)4-12-7(5)8/h5-8H,3-4H2,1-2H3/t5-,6+,7-,8-/m1/s1
InChI KeyMEJYDZQQVZJMPP-ULAWRXDQSA-N
PubChem CID62990
Beilstein/REAXYS Number80854
Quality Level100
Optical Activity[α]21/D +96.1°, c = 2 in chloroform
FormLiquid (clear liquid at 20°C)
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation)C8H14O4

Applications

No Application Found
Topical pharmaceutical formulations: a vehicle and dermal penetration-enhancing solvent in topical gels, creams and solutions, where it dissolves poorly soluble actives.
Water-borne paints and coatings: acts as a co-solvent during water loss and as a coalescing agent during film formation, helping latex particles fuse into a continuous film.
Green solvent for synthesis: used as an alternative to dipolar aprotic solvents in epoxidation of cyclooctene, Baylis–Hillman reactions of isomaltulose-derived aldehydes with α,β-unsaturated ketones, and solid-phase synthesis.
Polymer and membrane processing: a bio-based solvent option for preparing polymer membranes and for dissolving resins where NMP is being phased out.
Agrochemical and industrial formulations: a stable, low-toxicity co-solvent for concentrates, cleaning products and electronics-cleaning formulations.

Product Description

What is Isosorbide Dimethyl Ether?

Isosorbide dimethyl ether is the dimethyl ether of isosorbide, the bicyclic diol obtained by double dehydration of sorbitol. Its formula is C8H14O4 and its molecular weight is 174.19 g/mol. The two fused tetrahydrofuran rings give a rigid, V-shaped cage with two ether oxygens in the ring system and two methoxy substituents, so the molecule is polar and aprotic: it accepts hydrogen bonds but has no free hydroxyl group.

The reference listing gives a boiling point of 93–95 °C at 0.1 mmHg, a closed-cup flash point of 116 °C and a strongly positive optical rotation of +96.1° in chloroform, reflecting its single-enantiomer sugar-derived origin. It is not classified as hazardous in the reference listing (storage class 10, combustible liquid; WGK 1).

Uses of Isosorbide Dimethyl Ether

In personal care and topical pharmaceuticals, DMI is chosen because it dissolves a wide range of actives, is miscible with water, alcohols and many oils, and is generally well tolerated on skin. Formulators use it to keep crystalline actives in solution, to modify the feel of an emulsion and to enhance delivery into the skin.

In coatings and industrial chemistry, DMI offers a low-VOC, bio-based co-solvent; as a coalescent it lowers the film-formation temperature of water-borne paints while evaporating slowly. In laboratories and pilot plants, it replaces NMP, DMF and DMAc in selected reactions and polymer-processing steps, driven by regulatory pressure on reprotoxic solvents.

Buying and Handling Considerations

For cosmetic or pharmaceutical use, specify the grade, purity and documentation you require; the reference product is a 98% chemical grade. The liquid is hygroscopic to a moderate degree, so keep containers tightly closed. Store at ambient temperature away from strong oxidisers and strong acids, which can cleave ether linkages. Colour should be clear to very pale; a darker tint may indicate ageing and is worth checking against the Certificate of Analysis.

Safety Information

Based on Sigma-Aldrich’s verified listing (247898).

  • GHS Classification: no pictogram, signal word or hazard statement is assigned in the reference listing
  • Storage Class: 10 – Combustible liquids | WGK: 1 | Flash Point: 116°C (240.8°F), closed cup
  • PPE: Eyeshields, gloves

Use with adequate ventilation, avoid contact with eyes, keep away from open flames and strong oxidisers, and follow normal good handling practice for combustible liquids.

Related Products

No related products found.

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FAQs: Isosorbide Dimethyl Ether

It is used as a bio-based solvent and solubiliser in cosmetic and topical pharmaceutical formulations, as a coalescent and co-solvent in water-borne paints, as a green replacement for NMP and DMF in synthesis and polymer processing, and in cleaning and agrochemical formulations.

Yes. Dimethyl isosorbide (DMI), isosorbide dimethyl ether and Arlasolve DMI all refer to CAS 5306-85-4, formula C8H14O4.

It is produced from isosorbide, which is obtained by dehydrating sorbitol, a sugar alcohol made from starch. That renewable origin is one reason it is considered a bio-based solvent.

Molecular weight 174.19 g/mol; density 1.15 g/mL at 25 °C; refractive index n20/D 1.461; boiling point 93–95 °C at 0.1 mmHg; closed-cup flash point 116 °C; optical rotation +96.1° (c = 2 in chloroform).

Yes. It is miscible with water and with many organic solvents, which is part of what makes it a versatile co-solvent and formulation vehicle.

The reference listing assigns no GHS hazard classification. It is a combustible liquid (storage class 10) with a flash point of 116 °C, so keep it away from ignition sources and wear eye protection and gloves.

Yes. Every lot of SKU S2440 includes a Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet, and Sarchem Labs can quote laboratory, pilot and bulk quantities.