Dimethyl oxalate is a chemical compound with formula (CH3)2(COO)2. It is the dimethyl ester of oxalic acid.
Dimethyl oxalate (DMO), (CH3OCO)2 is an industrial chemical intermediate with versatile properties. DMO is used as a solvent and extraction agent to produce ethylene glycol, ethanol, oxalic acid, oxamide, dyes, and medicines. Besides, dimethyl carbonate (DMC), (CH3O)2CO is attracting lots of interest because of its excellent solubility, biodegradability and low toxicity. DMC could be used as a green solvent, as electrolytes in lithium batteries, as a potential fuel additive and for polycarbonate synthesis[1].
The empirical formula of dimethyl oxalate is C4H6O4. It
exists as a liquid between its pour point (52°C) and boiling
point (163.4°C). It is soluble in ethanol and ether and slightly
soluble in water.
Dimethyl oxalate is used as an alternate fuel in the direct oxidation fuel cell. It is involved in the catalytic hydrogenation using Cu/SiO22ub> to prepare ethylene glycol. It is also used in the selective gas-phase hydrogenation catalyzed by Ag/SiO2 to get the corresponding alcohol.
ChEBI: Methyl oxalate is a diester, a methyl ester and a member of dicarboxylic acids and O-substituted derivatives. It is functionally related to an oxalic acid.
Dimethyl oxalate undergoes Cu/SiO2 catalyzed hydrogenation to yield ethylene glycol. It undergoes selective gas-phase hydrogenation catalyzed by Ag/SiO2 to yield corresponding alcohol.
Crystallise the ester repeatedly from EtOH. De-gas it under nitrogen at high vacuum and distil it. [Beilstein 2 IV 1847.]
[1] Chunzheng Wang. “Emerging Co-Synthesis of Dimethyl Oxalate and Dimethyl Carbonate Using Pd/Silicalite-1 Catalyst with Synergistic Interactions of Pd and Silanols.” SSRN Electronic Journal 71 1 (2023).
