Dimethyl terephthalate CAS#120-61-6
Essential PET Raw Material: A key precursor for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), widely used in the production of plastic bottles, fibers, and films.
High Value in Recycling & Sustainability: Enables efficient PET depolymerization, allowing waste plastics to be recycled back into high-purity DMT monomers.
Excellent Reactivity & Selectivity: Demonstrates high conversion and selectivity in catalytic hydrogenation and other advanced chemical processes.
Stable Physical Properties for Industrial Use: Defined melting point range and thermal stability make it reliable for large-scale chemical manufacturing and processing.
Products Description of Dimethyl Terephthalate CAS#120-61-6
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is an important intermediate for the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and is extensively used in the production of plastic bottles, fibers, and films. In both academic and industrial research, DMT has attracted significant attention, including studies on its hydrogenation to dimethyl cyclohexanedicarboxylates (DMCD) using bimetallic catalysts, achieving conversion rates of about 80% and selectivity up to 95% under optimized conditions. In addition, environmentally friendly PET depolymerization technologies employing copper-supported catalysts have been developed, enabling PET waste to be efficiently recycled back into high-value DMT monomers.
DMT typically exhibits a melting point in the range of 139–142 °C and is classified as a combustible solid with a flash point of approximately 154 °C. Owing to these properties and its wide applicability, DMT is a vital chemical product, playing a key role in industrial production as well as in the development of sustainable materials.
Dimethyl terephthalate Chemical Propertie
Melting point | 140 °C |
Boiling point | 288 °C |
density | 1,29 g/cm3 |
vapor density | 1.04 (vs air) |
vapor pressure | 1.15 mm Hg ( 93 °C) |
refractive index | 1.4752 |
Fp | 154 °C |
storage temp. | Store below +30°C. |
solubility | water: slightly soluble0.0493g/L at 20°C |
form | Flakes or Pellets |
pka | 0[at 20 ℃] |
color | White |
explosive limit | 0.8-11.8%(V) |
Water Solubility | It is slightly soluble in water but soluble in hot alcohol and ether. |
Merck | 14,9162 |
BRN | 1107185 |
Stability: | Stable. Incompatible with strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents. |
LogP | 2.25 at 25℃ |
CAS DataBase Reference | 120-61-6(CAS DataBase Reference) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Dimethyl terephthalate (120-61-6) |
Safety Information
Risk Statements | 36/37/38 |
Safety Statements | 24/25 |
RIDADR | 3256 |
WGK Germany | 1 |
RTECS | WZ1225000 |
Autoignition Temperature | 520 °C DIN 51794 |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 2917 37 00 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 120-61-6(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: 3200 mg/kg |
Product Applications of Dimethyl Terephthalate (CAS#120-61-6)
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) serves as a widely utilized industrial intermediate in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and dioctyl terephthalate (OECD, 2001). Its applications span multiple industries, including:
Polyester Film: Used in audio/video tapes, X-ray films, and photographic films;
Polyester Fiber: A key component in textile manufacturing;
PET Bottles: Essential for beverage packaging;
Polyester Adhesives: Employed in industrial bonding applications;
Engineering Plastics: Integral to high-performance plastic products.
Additionally, due to its volatile nature, DMT acts as an intermediate in certain PET recycling processes



