Dimethoxym ethane, also called methylal, is a clear colorless flammable liquid with a low boiling point, low viscosity and an excellent dissolving power. It has a chloroform-like odor and a pungent taste. It is the dimethyl acetal of formaldehyde. Dimethoxymethane is soluble in three parts water and miscible with most common organic solvents.
It can be manufactured by oxidation of methanol or by the reaction of formaldehyde with methanol. In aqueous acid, it is hydrolyzed back to formaldehyde and methanol.
It is primarily used as a solvent and in the manufacture of perfumes, resins, adhesives, paint strippers and protective coatings.
Due to the anomeric effect, dimethoxymethane has a preference toward the gauche conformation around the C–O bonds, instead of the anti conformation. Since it is one of the smallest molecules exhibiting this effect, which has great interest in carbohydrate chemistry, dimethoxymethane is often used for theoretical studies of the anomeric effect.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Structural formula: CH3O-CH2-OCH3
Molecular weight: 76.09
Boiling point: 42.3℃
Flash point:-17.8℃
Auto-ignition temperature: 237℃
Melting point: -105°C
Appearance: Colourless liquid, with Chloroform odour
Content: ≥85﹪

Uses.

Dimethoxyethane in commercial quantities can be produced by a variety of methods:
Via the reaction of methyl cellosolve sodium salt with methyl chloride (Williamson synthesis). Metal alkoxide is prepared previously by interaction of methyl cellosolve with molten sodium at the temperature above 98°C. This reaction is accompanied with hydrogen formation:

2CH3OCH2CH2OH + 2Na → 2CH3OCH2CH2ONa + H2↑

CH3OCH2CH2ONa + CH3Cl → CH3OCH2CH2OCH3 + NaCl
By methylation of methyl cellosolve with methyl sulfate;
By the cleavage of ethylene oxide in presence of dimethyl ether. Process is catalyzed with Lewis acids (boron trifluoride BF3 or its dimethyletherate). This route is not particularly selective and produces di- tri, tetra- and other glymes as a by-products. The reaction mixture is separated by complex distillation:

CH3OCH3 + CH2CH2O → CH3OCH2CH2OCH3
By the reaction of ethylene glycol with methanol in the presence of a polyperfluorosulfonic acid resin catalyst at high temperature and pressure;

As a higher boiling alternative to diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran as an aprotic neutral polar solvent for chemical reactions. It is widely used in organometallic chemistry as a media for Grignard, Suzuki, Heck and other reactions. It is a good solvent for nucleophilic substitutions, Simmons-Smith reaction (addition of carbene to double bond);
As a solvent for oligo- and polysaccharides;
As a low-viscosity component of the solvent for electrolytes of lithium batteries;
For etching of PTFE and other fluoropolymers with alkali metal dispersions;
As a solvent for polysilicones;
As a reacrion media in pharmaceutical syntheses;
As an entrainer;