Dimethylformamide, often abbreviated to DMF, is a polar aprotic solvent that mixes with water and most organic liquids. Its industrial uses include acrylic-fibre spinning, textile dyeing, printing and gluing. Its solutions are used to process polymer fibres, films and surface coatings. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it is used as a crystallisation medium. The compound belongs to the formamide family, with methyl groups replacing the amino hydrogens of formamide. Pharmaceutical use requires the applicable pharmacopoeia grade.