Nerve Agent Precursors: Dimethylamine and the Hydrochloride

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Nerve Agent Precursors: Dimethylamine and Dimethylamine hydrochloride

CA Index Name	Methanamine, N-methyl	Methanamine, N-methyl (aqueous solution)	Methanamine, N-methyl, hydrochloride
CAS Registry Number	124-40-3	124-40-3	506-59-2
EINECS Number	206-697-4	206-697-4	208-046-5
RTECS Number	IP8750000	IP8750000	IQ0220000
UN Transport Code	1032	1160
ICSC Number	0260
CWC Schedule: not listed

Warning Symbols

Corrosive	Flammable	Harmful to the environment	Harmful

Synonyms
Dimethylamine	Dimethylamine hydrochloride
N,N-Dimethylamine N-methylmethanamine	Dimethylammonium hydrochloride Hydrochloric acid, dimethylamine N-Methylmethanamine hydrochloride

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

	Dimethylamine	Dimethylamine hydrochloride
Structural Formula
Appearance	Colorless, pungent gas with fishy odor.	Odorless white to off-white solid
Molecular Formula	C₂H₇N	C₂H₇N.HCl
Molecular Weight	45.1	81.6
Melting Point	-92°C	171.5°C
Boiling Point	7°C
Liquid Density	0.66
Vapor Density	1.6
Vapor pressure	170 kPa at 20°C
Flammable

NFPA Hazard Ratings
Dimethylamine	FIRE 4	HEALTH 3	REACTIVITY 0	SPECIAL *
Dimethylamine hydrochloride	FIRE 0	HEALTH 2	REACTIVITY 0	SPECIAL *

Also refer to 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2000) Guide 118 (Gases - Flammable - Corrosive).

Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances

No specific recommendations

Health Hazards

Methylamine, and all other lower alkyl amines are toxic and irritating. It can be irritating and toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Skin contact can cause frostbite. Inhalation can cause a burning sensation, cough. headache, laboured breathing, shortness of breath. and sore throat. Vision can be blurred. Medical supervision is recommended for those at risk of exposure to the gas.

Methylamine decomposes on burning with the generation of toxic fumes including nitrogen oxides. It reacts violently with strong oxidants and mercury causing fire and explosion hazard. It also attacks copper, zinc alloys, aluminium, galvanized surfaces, and plastic. The solution in water is a strong base, it reacts violently with acid and is corrosive.

Risk and Safety Phrases.

Dimethylamine	Dimethylamine hydrochloride
R12 - Extremely flammable R20 - Harmful by inhalation R21 - Harmful in contact with skin R22 - Harmful if swallowed R29 - Contact with water liberates toxic gas R34 - Causes burns R36 - Irritating to eyes R41 - Risk of serious irreversible effects R37/38 - Irritating to respiratory system and skin S3 - Keep in a cool place S12 - Do not keep container sealed (aq. soln. only) S16 - Keep away from source of ignition - No smoking S26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice S29 - Do not empty into drains S39 - Wear eye/face protection S37 -Wear suitable gloves S45 - In case of accident, or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show label where possible)	R20 - Harmful by inhalation R21 - Harmful in contact with skin R22 - Harmful if swallowed S24/25 - Avoid contact with skin and eyes

Dimethylamine

Dimethylamine hydrochloride

R12 - Extremely flammable
R20 - Harmful by inhalation
R21 - Harmful in contact with skin
R22 - Harmful if swallowed
R29 - Contact with water liberates toxic gas
R34 - Causes burns
R36 - Irritating to eyes
R41 - Risk of serious irreversible effects
R37/38 - Irritating to respiratory system and skin
S3 - Keep in a cool place
S12 - Do not keep container sealed (aq. soln. only)
S16 - Keep away from source of ignition - No smoking
S26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice
S29 - Do not empty into drains
S39 - Wear eye/face protection
S37 -Wear suitable gloves
S45 - In case of accident, or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show label where possible)

R20 - Harmful by inhalation
R21 - Harmful in contact with skin
R22 - Harmful if swallowed
S24/25 - Avoid contact with skin and eyes

INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL USES

About half of all methylamine is converted to dimethylformamide, a powerful solvent. The second major use is in the manufacture of the surfactant lauryl dimethylamine oxide. It is also used in the manufacture of a number of important industrial, agricultural and pharmaceutical chemicals including:

dimethyldithiocarbamate fungicides,
rubber accelerators (Thiram and related compounds),
unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (propellant),
Pantocaine (anesthetic)
Benadryl (antihistamine),
germicides,
herbicides,
surface active agents including Triton X-400
polymers for water treatment,
catalysts.

COMMENTS

Dimethylamine and the hydrochloride are used in the manufacture of the G-type nerve agent Tabun. The most important method for the manufacture of alkyl amines is the reaction of alkyl halides, such as methyl chloride, with ammonia. Alkyl amines such as dimethylamine can be manufactured by a number of other methods including:

catalytic amination of alcohols (methanol for dimethylamine);
catalytic alkylation of an aldehyde (formaldehyde) with ammonia or an amine.

These two methods give dimethylamine in a mixture with methylamine and trimethylamine and require careful optimization of the process. US manufacture of dimethylamine was 2,700 tons in 1992. Dimethylamine hydrochloride is described as a low production volume chemical (<500 tonnes/yr) in Europe, and a high production volume chemical (>500 tonnes/yr) in the US.

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