Dimethyl Terephthalate
The transesterification-route acid-side monomer for PET and polyester — the dimethyl ester of terephthalic acid, reacted with Mono Ethylene Glycol to build polyester chains.
Chelora Chemicals supplies DMT to polyester and specialty-polymer manufacturers worldwide, with full documentation and consistent purity on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 120-61-2
- IUPAC name
- Dimethyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate
- Molecular formula
- C₁₀H₁₀O₄
- Molecular weight
- 194.18 g/mol
- Melting point
- 140-144 °C
- Boiling point
- ~285-288 °C
- GHS Pictogram
- GHS07
- HS Code
- 2917 39
Note: we confirm the exact transport classification for your specific shipment size and destination before booking.
What Dimethyl Terephthalate is used for
Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) is a white crystalline solid, the dimethyl ester of terephthalic acid, with a mild, pleasant odour. It is soluble in a range of organic solvents and sparingly soluble in cold water.
DMT is used as the acid-side monomer in the transesterification route to PET and polyester fibre, reacted with Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG). Historically this was the dominant commercial route to polyester before the direct-esterification route using Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) became more cost-effective at scale; DMT's transesterification route remains in use today, particularly where very high purity or specific processing characteristics are required, and in polyester-film and specialty polyester-polyol applications.
Where it sits in the polyester value chain
- Dimethyl Terephthalate (this product) the acid-side monomer, transesterified with MEG, releasing methanol.
- Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) the alternative, now-dominant acid-side monomer, direct-esterified with MEG instead. See that page.
- PET Resin the polymer both routes ultimately form. See that page.
Handling character
DMT carries a GHS Warning signal word, harmful if swallowed and causing skin/eye irritation. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline solid/flake |
| Assay | 99.9% min (polymer grade) |
| Colour | Within producer specification |
| Acidity | Within producer specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | White crystalline solid |
| Melting point | 140-144 °C |
| Boiling point | ~285-288 °C |
| Water solubility | Sparingly soluble (cold) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 120-61-2 and rounded for readability. Note: some published sources list this CAS as 120-61-6; 120-61-2 is the standard registry number for Dimethyl Terephthalate and is used throughout this page. Treat all figures as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this monomer to work
The original monomer behind polyester, still valued for specific grades and processes.
Polyester fibre & resin
Transesterified with MEG to form PET and polyester, particularly where high purity is required.
- Polymer-grade specification
- Bulk & bag supply
- Technical desk review on request
Polyester film production
Used in polyester-film grades where DMT's processing characteristics are preferred.
- Consistent purity specification
- Documented batch traceability
Specialty polyester-polyol synthesis
A monomer input for specialty polyester-polyol production.
- Contract & spot supply
- Full analytical documentation available
Coatings & resin modification
Used in selected resin and coatings formulations requiring DMT's ester chemistry.
- Packs sized to customer volumes
- Retained sample held against the lot
Specialty chemical synthesis
A feedstock in smaller-volume specialty organic synthesis applications.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
Polyester plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Dimethyl Terephthalate
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Purity, colour and acidity level are critical to polyester-chain quality — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Purity and colour confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to polyester-film and fibre quality.
- Classification and documentation managed end to end. Labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Polymer-grade sourced to your specification. Matched precisely to your polyester or film process.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Bag, bulk bag or bulk container — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
25 kg multi-wall bags
Moisture-barrier bags for smaller-volume orders, on pallets for easy handling.
500-1,000 kg jumbo bags
FIBC jumbo bags sized for mid-volume polyester-plant orders.
Large-volume bulk shipment
Bulk container shipment for continuous-consumption polyester plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Harmful if swallowed — standard precautions apply
DMT requires standard chemical-handling precautions around dust and skin/eye contact. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H302Harmful if swallowed.H315Causes skin irritation.H319Causes serious eye irritation.H335May cause respiratory irritation.
Dust control recommended. Avoid dust generation and ingestion during transfer; always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and store accordingly.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidising agents.
Handling
Use standard PPE (gloves, eye protection, dust mask) during transfer and weighing. Avoid dust generation and ingestion; avoid prolonged skin and eye contact.
Transport
DMT typically ships under GHS pictogram GHS07 without a dedicated UN dangerous-goods number for standard industrial shipments; we confirm and document the exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Assay, colour and acidity confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How DMT becomes PET
DMT reacts with Mono Ethylene Glycol in a transesterification reaction: the methyl ester groups of DMT exchange with the hydroxyl groups of MEG, releasing methanol as a by-product and building ester linkages that form the PET polymer chain. This was the original commercial route to PET, and remains in use today alongside the now-more-common direct-esterification route that uses Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) instead, releasing water rather than methanol.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Aromatic diester |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Two methyl ester groups (para-substituted benzene ring) |
| Reactivity | Transesterification with diols (PET); by-product is methanol |
| Related compounds | Mono Ethylene Glycol (co-monomer), Purified Terephthalic Acid (alternative monomer), PET Resin (polymer) |
Explore the wider petrochemical range
Dimethyl Terephthalate, answered
What is Dimethyl Terephthalate used for?
How does DMT differ from PTA as a PET monomer?
Is Dimethyl Terephthalate hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Looking for the alternative monomer route? See our Purified Terephthalic Acid page.
Get a quote on Dimethyl Terephthalate today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.