3228. Dimethylamine

Nomenclature

CAS number: 124-40-3
N-Methylmethanamine.
C2H7N; mol wt 45.08.
C 53.29%, H 15.65%, N 31.07%.
(CH3)2NH.

Description and references

Prepn from methanol + ammonia: Smith, US 2456599 (1948 to Commercial Solvents); Serban, Rev. Chim. (Bucharest) 14, 451 (1963), C.A. 60, 5097b (1964); by catalytic hydrogenation of nitrosodimethylamine: Livering, Maury, GB 797483 (1958 to Hercules Powder). Toxicity studies: R. Hazard et al., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. 112, 36 (1957); W. H. Steinhagen et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 43, 411 (1982).

Properties

Gas at ordinary temp; characteristic odor. d40 (liq) 0.680. bp 7°, mp -96°. Flammable. Very sol in water forming a very strong alkaline soln; sol in alcohol or ether. Has been marketed in compressed liquid form in tubes or as a 33% aq soln.

Derivative

Hydrochloride.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 506-59-2
C2H7N.HCl; mol wt 81.54.
C 29.46%, H 9.89%, N 17.18%, Cl 43.48%.

Properties

Deliquesc leaflets, mp 171°. Very sol in water; sol in alcohol, chloroform. Practically insol in ether. Keep well closed. LD50 in mice (g/kg): 1.21 i.v., 2.00 s.c. (Hazard). LC50 in mice (ppm): 7650 (48 hr), 4725 (14 day); in rats (ppm): 4540 (6 hr) (Steinhagen).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of nose and throat; sneezing, coughing and dyspnea; pulmonary edema; conjunctivitis; dermatitis; direct contact with liquid may cause frostbite. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 110.

Use

As accelerator in vulcanizing rubber, tanning, manuf detergent soaps, or attracting boll weevils to exterminate them. As reagent for Mg.