N,N-Dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMFDMA): from derivatisation to C1 synthon.

N,N -Dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMFDMA), also called 1,1-dimethoxy- N,N -dimethylmethanamine, is a colorless liquid with rancid odour. The chemical structure of DMFDMA presents two important sites, a partially positive carbon that acts as an electrophile in condensation reactions and a partially negative nitrogen that acts as a nucleophile. Because of its structure, DMFDMA reacts with many different organic groups and can be a versatile reagent used in gas chromatography, as a protecting group and as a C1 synthon, especially in the construction of heterocycles. N,N -Dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMFDMA) contains two important sites one that can act like an electrophile, the other a nucleophile. Because of its structure, DMFDMA can react with many different organic groups and is a versatile reagent used in gas chromatography, as a protecting group and as a C1 synthon, especially in the construction of heterocycles. (Image credit: N. F. Araujo.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]