It can be used to synthesize pharmaceutical intermediates, cationic surfactants, and polyurethane foam catalysts, and is mainly used as a curing agent, catalyst, and pharmaceutical and surfactant intermediate for polyurethane.
The two nitrogen-termini of 1,2-dimethylpiperazine readily react with other functional groups. Derivatives of 1,2-dimethylpiperazine, in which the amino hydrogens are replaced by long-chain alkyl or alkoxy groups, can be used as wetting agents, emulsifiers, dispersants, and detergents. For example, monoesters of 1,2-dimethylpiperazine with various fatty acids can be used as additives to improve the hard water resistance of fatty acid soaps; monoesters and monoethers of 1,2-dimethylpiperazine can be used as emulsifiers in skin moisturizers.
