What is dimethylamine (DMA) and what is it used for?
Dimethylamine (DMA, CAS 124-40-3) is a reactive secondary amine and a foundational building block. It is used to produce the solvents dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylacetamide (DMAC), as a rubber-vulcanization accelerator, and as an intermediate for surfactants, agrochemicals, and leather and electroplating chemistries.
- ▸ Solvent intermediate: Feedstock for dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylacetamide (DMAC).
- ▸ Rubber accelerator: Accelerator in rubber vulcanization.
- ▸ Surfactants: Intermediate for surfactant production.
- ▸ Agrochemicals: Building block for agricultural chemicals.
- ▸ Leather/electroplating: Tanning and electroplating applications.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
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Transport classification per the UN Model Regulations / 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Confirm against the grade-specific SDS (Section 14) before shipping.
Dimethylamine (DMA, (CH3)2NH; CAS 124-40-3) is a secondary aliphatic amine and a high-volume chemical building block. A flammable gas at room temperature, it is supplied as an aqueous solution (commonly 40–60%) or as the anhydrous liquefied gas. Its basic, nucleophilic nitrogen feeds the synthesis of surfactants, solvents, water-treatment polymers, agrochemicals, rubber chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Identity: PubChem.
What is dimethylamine?
Dimethylamine is the secondary amine with two methyl groups on nitrogen. It is a strong base and a good nucleophile, which is why it is a reactive intermediate rather than an end-use product. It is corrosive, toxic and flammable, and is shipped either dissolved in water or as the anhydrous liquefied gas under pressure.
Applications by sector
DMA is almost entirely a chemical intermediate. It is the feedstock for dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) and the cocamidopropyl-betaine surfactant chain; for the solvents dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc); for water-treatment polymers such as polyDADMAC and polyamine coagulants/flocculants; for agrochemicals, rubber accelerators (dithiocarbamates), dyes, chelating agents and pharmaceutical intermediates. Use is defined by the downstream synthesis; specify the form and concentration your process needs.
Forms and grades
Supplied as an aqueous solution (commonly 40%, 50% or 60%) or as anhydrous liquefied gas. Specify form, concentration and grade on the RFQ; the CoA documents the lot. Shipments move under the applicable hazardous-materials transport requirements.
Handling and documentation
Dimethylamine is flammable, corrosive and toxic, with a strong fishy/ammoniacal odor; the anhydrous gas and the solution both require trained handling, vapor control and compatible materials per the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies dimethylamine (aqueous solution or anhydrous) in bulk to chemical-synthesis, water-treatment-polymer and industrial buyers, with CoA and SDS per lot, under HazMat transport rules. Submit an RFQ with your form, concentration and target quantity. See water treatment and industrial manufacturing.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Dimethylamine (DMA) |
| CAS Number | 124-40-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C2H7N ((CH3)2NH) |
| Molecular Weight | ~45.1 g/mol |
| Appearance | Flammable gas; supplied as aqueous solution (40–60%) or anhydrous liquefied gas |
| Solubility | Very soluble in water |
| Character | Strong base / nucleophile; reactive intermediate |
| Hazard / handling | Flammable, corrosive, toxic — refer to the current SDS |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dimethylamine used for?
Dimethylamine (DMA, CAS 124-40-3) is a chemical intermediate for surfactant precursors (DMAPA/cocamidopropyl betaine), solvents (DMF, DMAc), water-treatment polymers (polyDADMAC, polyamines), agrochemicals, rubber accelerators, dyes and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Is dimethylamine a gas or a liquid?
It is a flammable gas at room temperature, supplied either as an aqueous solution (commonly 40–60%) or as the anhydrous liquefied gas under pressure. Specify the form your process requires.
Is dimethylamine hazardous?
Yes — it is flammable, corrosive and toxic, with a strong odor. Both the anhydrous gas and the solution require trained handling, vapor control and compatible materials per the SDS, and ship under hazardous-materials rules.
What is the formula and CAS of dimethylamine?
Dimethylamine is (CH3)2NH (C2H7N), CAS 124-40-3 (PubChem CID 674), ~45.1 g/mol. The CoA documents form and concentration.
How is bulk dimethylamine supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies it as an aqueous solution or anhydrous in bulk under HazMat transport, with CoA and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on form, concentration and volume; submit an RFQ with your target quantity and ship-to.