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Chemical Datasheet

TRIMETHYLAMINE, AQUEOUS SOLUTION

3 - Flammable liquid 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 75-50-3   (TRIMETHYLAMINE)
  • 1297
  • Flammable Liquid
  • Corrosive
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Trimethylamine
  • TRIMETHYLAMINE
  • TRIMETHYLAMINE (40% aqueous solution)
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A clear to yellow aqueous solution of a gas. Odor varies from fishlike to ammonia-like depending on vapor concentration. Flash point (25% solution) 35°F. Corrosive to skin and eyes. Less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen when burned.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

May cause toxic effects if inhaled or ingested. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
TRIMETHYLAMINE, AQUEOUS SOLUTION neutralizes acids in exothermic reactions to form salts plus water. May be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen may be generated in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides. Contamination of an ethylene oxide tank with trimethylamine caused an explosion [BCISC Quart. Safety Summ., 1966, 37, 44].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Some of these materials may react violently with water.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Do not get water inside containers.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material. For hydrazine, absorb with DRY sand or inert absorbent (vermiculite or absorbent pads). Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 132 [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Trimethyl amine 75-50-3 Vapor >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: CAUTION: Exposure of skin to compressed gases may result in freezing of the skin. Treatment for frostbite may be necessary. Remove the victim from the source of contamination. IMMEDIATELY wash affected areas gently with COLD water (and soap, if necessary) while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Dry carefully with clean, soft towels. Call a hospital or poison control center IMMEDIATELY even if no symptoms (such as inflammation or irritation) develop. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected area if advised to do so by a physician.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: This compound is a gas, therefore inhalation is the first route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C3H9N (aqueous)
Flash Point: 10°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 11.6 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 374°F (NTP, 1992)
Melting Point: -179°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.6356 (NTP, 1992) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 37.17°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 59.13 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: Very soluble (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 7.82 eV [From NPG: Trimethylamine] (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Trimethyl amine (75-50-3)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 8 ppm 240 ppm 750 ppm
30 minutes 8 ppm 150 ppm 490 ppm
60 minutes 8 ppm 120 ppm 380 ppm
4 hours 8 ppm 67 ppm 220 ppm
8 hours 8 ppm 51 ppm 170 ppm
Level of Distinct Odor Awareness = 0.00051 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Trimethylamine (75-50-3) 0.1 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 100 ppm 500 ppm
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Trimethylamine (75-50-3) 8 ppm 120 ppm 380 ppm LEL = 20000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Methanamine, N,N-dimethyl- 75-50-3 100 pounds 10000 pounds
Trimethylamine 75-50-3 100 pounds 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Trimethylamine; [Methanamine, N,N-dimethyl-] 75-50-3 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names