Dimethyl carbonate, often abbreviated DMC, a carbonate ester

Carbonate ester

A carbonate ester is a functional group in organic chemistry consisting of a carbonyl group flanked by two alkoxy groups. The general structure of these carbonates is R1OOR2 and they are related to esters R1OR and ethers R1OR2 and also to the inorganic carbonates.Carbonate esters are used as...

, is a flammable clear liquid boiling at 90 °C. This compound has found use as a methylating agent and more recently as a VOC

Volatile organic compound

Volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary, room-temperature conditions. Their high vapor pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and...

 exempt solvent in paints and adhesives (exempt in USA only). There is also interest in using this compound as a fuel oxygenate additive,. It was classified as an exempt compound under the definition of volatile organic compounds by the U.S.