108-01-0

A clear colorless liquid with a fishlike odor. Flash point 105°F. Less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. Toxic oxides of nitrogen produced during combustion. Used to make other chemicals.

DIMETHYLAMINOETHANOL is an aminoalcohol. Amines are chemical bases. They neutralize acids to form salts plus water. These acid-base reactions are exothermic. The amount of heat that is evolved per mole of amine in a neutralization is largely independent of the strength of the amine as a base. Amines may be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated by amines in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides. This compound may react vigorously with oxidizing materials.

Flammable. Partially soluble in water and less dense than water.

Inhalation of the vapor or mist can cause irritation to the upper respiratory tract. Asthmatic symptoms have been reported. Extremely irritating; may cause permanent eye injury. Corrosive; will cause severe skin damage with burns and blistering. Ingestion may cause damage to the mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract.

Dimethylaminoethanol is a colorless liquidwith a pungent odor. Odor threshold: 0.25 ppm. Molecularweight 5 89.16; Boiling point =133℃; Freezing/Meltingpoint=259℃; Flash point =41℃ (oc); Autoignitiontemperature 5=295℃. Explosive limits: LEL 5=1.6%;UEL 5=11.9%. Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704M Rating System): Health 2, Flammability 2, Reactivity 0.Soluble in water.

Colourless liquid

ChEBI: A tertiary amine that is ethanolamine having two N-methyl substituents.

The synthesis of 2-Dimethylaminoethanol by the ethylene oxide method is obtained by the ammonification of dimethylamine with ethylene oxide, which is distilled, refined and dehydrated.

Synthesis of dimethylaminoethanol can be accomplished from equimolar amounts of ethylene oxide and dimethylamine (HSDB 1988).

Flammable

Dimethylaminoethanol is used as a chemical intermediate for antihistamines and local anesthetics; as a catalyst for curing epoxy resins and polyurethanes; and as a pH control agent for boiler water treatment. However, dimethylaminoethanol in the salt form, (i.e. dimethylaminoethanol acetamidobenzoate) is primarily utilized therapeutically as an antidepressant (HSDB 1988).

PrimaryIrritant. Dimethylaminoethanol is used as a corrosion inhibitor; pharmaceutical intermediate; in making dyestuffs, textiles, pharmaceuticals; emulsifiers in paints and coatings.Also, it has been used as a medication in the treatment ofbehavioral problems of children.

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. If victim is conscious, administer water ormilk. Do not induce vomiting. Medical observation isrecommended for 2448 h after breathing overexposure, aspulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic mayconsider administering a corticosteroid spray.

When administered orally, dimethylaminoethanol acetamidobenzoate (the therapeutic salt formulation) has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier (HSDB 1988). Two other studies have examined the pharmacokinetics of dimethylaminoethanol in rats (Dormand et al 1975) and healthy adults (Bismut et al 1986).
It has been postulated that dimethylaminoethanol undergoes endogenous methylation (LaDu et al 1971). After intravenous treatment of mice with [¹⁴C]-labeled dimethylaminoethanol in the brain, dimethylaminoethanol yielded phosphoryldimethylaminoethanol and phosphatidyldimethylaminoethanol. Acid-soluble and lipid cholines derived from dimethylaminoethanol also were found in brain (Miyazaki et al 1976). While examining the pharmacokinetics of the maleate acid of [¹⁴C]-dimethylaminoethanol in rats, Dormand et al (1975) observed that dimethylaminoethanol was metabolized in the phospholipid cycle and produced metabolites such as phosphoryldimethylaminoethanolamine, and glycerophosphatidylcholine. In kainic-acid lesioned rats, dimethylaminoethanol was converted to a substance which cross-reacted in the radioenzymatic assay for acetylcholine (London et al 1978). Ansell and Spanner (1979) demonstrated that [¹⁴C]-dimethylaminoethanol rapidly disappeared from brain; after 0.5, 1, and 7 h, only 30, 27, and 16% of the administered radioactivity, respectively, remained in the brain after intracerebral injection. They also showed that brain levels of phosphodimethylaminoethanol increased to a maximum at 1-2 h and decreased afterwards, whereas concentrations of phosphatidylethanolamine increased continuously throughout the 7 h observation period. This study further found that after i.p. injections of labeled dimethylaminoethanol, the brain content of phosphatidylethanolamine increased through the 7 h period and the levels were 10-40 fold higher than those of phosphodimethylaminoethanol.

Label of “CORROSIVE, FLAMMABLELIQUID.” It falls in Hazard Class 8. Packing Group II.Spill Handling: Evacuate and restrict persons not wearingprotective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanupis complete. Remove all ignition sources. Establish forcedventilation to keep levels below explosive limit. Absorbliquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, peat, carbon, or asimilar material and deposit in sealed containers. Keep thischemical out of a confined space, such as a sewer, becauseof the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer isdesigned to prevent the buildup of explosive concentrations.It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemicalas a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoffenters waterways, notify downstream users of potentiallycontaminated waters. Contact your local or federal environmental protection agency for specific recommendations. Ifemployees are required to clean up spills, they must beproperly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may beapplicable.

Dry the amine with anhydrous K2CO3 or KOH, and fractionally distil it. [Beilstein 4 IV 1424.]

Forms explosive mixture with air.Violent reaction with oxidizers, strong acids, acid chlorides,and isocyanates. Attacks copper and its alloys, galvanizedsteel, zinc and its alloys.