Dimetüütereftalaati

Dimetüütereftalaat, often abbreviated as DMT, is a chemical compound with the formula C10H10O4. It is a diester of terephthalic acid and methanol. In appearance, DMT is typically a white crystalline solid. It is an important intermediate in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a widely used plastic. DMT is also employed in the synthesis of other polymers and as a plasticizer.

The synthesis of DMT usually involves the esterification of terephthalic acid with methanol. Alternatively, it can be produced from p-xylene through a multi-step process that includes oxidation and esterification. DMT has a relatively low melting point and is soluble in various organic solvents. Its stability and reactivity make it a versatile building block in polymer chemistry.

While DMT is primarily known for its role in PET production, where it undergoes transesterification with ethylene glycol, it also finds applications in the manufacture of polyester fibers and films. The use of DMT has historically been significant, although direct esterification of terephthalic acid has also become a common method for PET synthesis.