N,N-Dimethylethylenediamine

N,N'-Dimethylethylenediamine is used in DNA binding effect. It is used to enhance the adsorption of carbon dioxide. It acts as a ligand and form coordination complex such as dinitrato(N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-ethanediamine)copper(II) and dichloro(1,4-bis-(diphenyl phosphino)butane)-(1,2-ethylenediamine)ruthenium(II).

clear colorless to pale yellow liquid

N,N-Dimethylethylenediamine is a bidentate ligand that can be used:

• To synthesize Schiff base ligands to prepare their zinc alkyl and zinc alkoxide complexes that initiate ring-opening polymerization of lactides.
• As a ligand to prepare copper azido polymers.
• In the synthesis of naphthalimides such as amonafide, an antitumor agent.
• As the receptor in building fluorescent signaling systems to perturb the photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer (PET) process from the nitrogen lone-pair to the fluorophore.

It finds its application as an intermediate in the synthesis of Cefotiam. It is also used as a catalyst in the synthesis of allylic nitro compounds.

N,N'-Dimethylethylenediamine is miscible with chloroform and dichloromethane. Incompatible with acids, chlorides, anhydrides, strong oxidising agents and carbon dioxide.