Formaldehyde dimethyl ether Methylal Dimethylformal (DMFL) Formaldehyde dimethylacetal Methoxymethyl methyl ether Dimethoxymethane, also called methylal, is a colorless flammable liquid with a low boiling point, low viscosity and excellent dissolving power.

Dimethoxymethane is soluble in three parts water[clarification needed] and miscible with most common organic solvents.

Industrially, it is primarily used as a solvent and in the manufacture of perfumes, resins, adhesives, paint strippers and protective coatings.

[6] Another useful application of dimethoxymethane is to protect alcohols with a methoxymethyl (MOM) ether in organic synthesis.

[8] Alternatively, MOMCl can be generated as a solution by treating dimethoxymethane with an acyl chloride in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst like zinc bromide: Unlike the classical procedure, which uses formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride as starting materials, the highly carcinogenic side product bis(chloromethyl) ether is not generated.