Nmethylmethanamine

Nmethylmethanamine, also known as dimethylamine, is a secondary amine with the chemical formula (CH3)2NH. It is a colorless gas at room temperature with a characteristic fishy or ammonia-like odor. It is highly flammable and soluble in water, ethanol, and ether.

Dimethylamine is a significant industrial chemical. It is primarily produced by the reaction of ammonia with methanol over an aluminum oxide catalyst. It serves as a building block for a wide range of chemicals. Its major applications include the production of solvents, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dyes, and rubber accelerators. For instance, it is a precursor to dimethylformamide (DMF), a common polar aprotic solvent, and to dimethyldithiocarbamates, which are used as fungicides and vulcanization accelerators in the rubber industry.

In biological systems, dimethylamine is found in trace amounts and is a product of the microbial degradation of certain nitrogen-containing compounds. It can also be formed metabolically from choline and carnitine. While generally considered safe in the low concentrations found naturally, higher exposures can lead to irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It is also a component of cigarette smoke.