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Chemical Datasheet

DIMETHYLAMINE, AQUEOUS SOLUTION

3 - Flammable liquid 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 124-40-3   (DIMETHYLAMINE)
  • 1160
  • Flammable Liquid
  • Corrosive
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Dimethylamine
  • DIMETHYLAMINE
  • DIMETHYLAMINE (aqueous solution)
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
3 0
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A solution of a gas in water. Odor ranging from a fishlike to ammonia-like depending on vapor concentration. Corrosive to skin and eyes. Vapors heavier than air. Toxic oxides of nitrogen produced during combustion.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. When dissolved in water, it is a strong base.
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
DIMETHYLAMINE is a base, neutralizing acids in exothermic reactions, and a reducing agent. Dissolution in water moderates but does not nullify its reactivity. It is temperature sensitive. Reacts vigorously with mercury and chlorine. (NTP, 1992). Reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents and attacks copper and copper compounds. [Handling Chemicals Safely, 1980 p. 123]. Reacts with hypochlorites to give N-chloroamines, some of which are explosives when isolated [Bretherick, 1979 p. 108]. During an amination preparative procedure combining 4-chloroacetophenone and dimethylamine (4.22:1) at 234°C led to explosions, [Acta Chem. Scand., Ser.B, 1984, B38, 717-719].
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
Dimethyl amine 124-40-3 Vapor >480 >480 >480 >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
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. Keep victim calm and warm. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • HN(CH3)2 (aqueous)
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: 8.24 eV [From NPG: Dimethylamine] (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 500 ppm [From NPG: Dimethylamine] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Dimethylamine (124-40-3)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 10 ppm 130 ppm 480 ppm
30 minutes 10 ppm 85 ppm 320 ppm
60 minutes 10 ppm 66 ppm 250 ppm
4 hours 10 ppm 40 ppm 150 ppm
8 hours 10 ppm 32 ppm 120 ppm
Level of Distinct Odor Awareness = 0.53 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Dimethylamine (124-40-3) 0.6 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 100 ppm 350 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
Dimethylamine (124-40-3) 10 ppm 66 ppm 250 ppm LEL = 28000 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
Dimethylamine 124-40-3 1000 pounds 313 U092 10000 pounds
Methanamine, N-methyl- 124-40-3 1000 pounds X U092 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
Dimethylamine; [Methanamine, N-methyl-] 124-40-3 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Dimethylamine, Anhydrous 124-40-3 2500 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names