Dimethyl succinate is the inactive analog of dimethyl fumarate. Dimethyl succinate has a pleasant, ethereal, winey odor and a fruity, winey, and burning flavor. It is used in foods as a flavoring ingredient. Dimethyl succinate was found at increased concentrations in the culture medium of the lung cancer cell line A549 and in the urine of mice implanted with A549 cells. Dimethyl succinate could be used to prolong the insulinotropic action of GLP-1 in the treatment of type-2 diabetes and it may represent a novel therapeutic approach in endotoxemia and multiple-organ failure.

Dimethyl sulfate is a diester of methanol and sulfuric acid. Dimethyl sulfate is commonly used as a reagent for the methylation of phenols, amines, and thiols. Dimethyl sulfate is a potent genotoxic chemical. It can directly alkylate DNA both in vitro and in vivo. It have been shown to induce mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and other genetic alterations in a diversity of organisms. Dimethyl sulfate can cause severe burns to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Systemic effects of dimethyl sulfate include damage to the liver and kidneys.