Dimethylamine

Dimethylamine is a weak base and the pKa of the ammonium CH3-NH+2-CH3 is 10.73, a value above methylamine (10.64) and trimethylamine (9.79).

Dimethylamine is produced by catalytic reaction of methanol and ammonia at elevated temperatures and high pressure:[6] Dimethylamine is found quite widely distributed in animals and plants, and is present in many foods at the level of a few mg/kg.

[5][8] It reacts with carbon disulfide to give dimethyl dithiocarbamate, a precursor to zinc bis(dimethyldithiocarbamate) and other chemicals used in the sulfur vulcanization of rubber.

The surfactant lauryl dimethylamine oxide is found in soaps and cleaning compounds.

For example reaction of dimethylamine and formaldehyde gives bis(dimethylamino)methane:[15] It converts esters to dimethylamides.

[16] Although not acutely toxic, dimethylamine undergoes nitrosation to give dimethylnitrosamine, a carcinogen.

Skeletal formula of dimethylamine
Skeletal formula of dimethylamine
Ball and stick model of dimethylamine
Ball and stick model of dimethylamine
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroform Flammability 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g. propane Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code