Tetramethoxymethane is a chemical compound which is formally formed by complete methylation of the hypothetical orthocarbonic acid C(OH)4.

The obvious synthetic route from the tetrahalomethanes does not yield the desired product, instead giving orthoformates and a halohydrin byproduct.

For example, trichloromethanesulfenyl chloride (also used as a chemical warfare agent and easily accessible from carbon bisulfide and chlorine) was used:[3][4] A less problematic synthesis is based on trichloroacetonitrile:[5][6] Thallium methoxide reacts with carbon disulfide to give tetramethoxymethane and thallium sulfide;[7] likewise dimethyl dibutylstannate gives tetramethoxymethane and dibutyltin sulfide.

[8] Tetramethoxymethane is water-clear, aromatic-smelling, low-viscosity liquid which is stable against peroxide formation.

[9] In addition to the use as a solvent, tetramethoxymethane is used as a fuel in polymer fuel cells,[10] as an alkylating agent at elevated temperatures (180-200 °C)[11] as a transesterification reagent (but showing less reactivity than trimethoxymethane[2]) and as a reagent for the synthesis of 2-aminobenzoxazoles, which are used as molecular building blocks in pharmaceutical active ingredients used in neuroleptics, sedatives, antiemetics, muscle relaxants, fungicides and others.