Dimethyl adipate is the organic compound with the formula (CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. It is a colorless oily liquid. Although the main commercial interest in adipates is related to the production of nylons, this diester is used as a plasticizer, a solvent for paint stripping and resins, and a pigment dispersant.
Dimethyl adipate is prepared by esterification of adipic acid with methanol. Less conventional routes include the hydroesterification of butadiene and the carbonylation of 1,4-dimethoxy-2-butene.
It reacts with concentrated ammonia to give the diamide (CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>C(O)NH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>.
Esters of adipic acid exhibit low acute toxicities in animal models. The of this dimethyl ester is estimated at 1800 mg/kg (rat, i.p.).