Trimethylamine

Agent Name
Trimethylamine
CAS Number
75-50-3
Formula
C3-H9-N
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Trimethylamine formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Dimethylmethaneamine; Methanamine, N,N-dimethyl-; N,N-Dimethylmethanamine; N-Trimethylamine; [ChemIDplus] UN1083; UN1297
Category
Amines, Aliphatic
Description
Colorless gas with a fishy, amine odor; Note: A liquid below 37 degrees F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in organic synthesis, as an insect attractant, and as a warning gas in natural gas; [Merck Index] Also used as a flotation agent; It is a natural decomposition product of plants and animals; [ACGIH]
Comments
Has a highly offensive odor at < 1 ppm; "TLV Basis" is irritation (skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract); [ACGIH] Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS ] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] May cause permanent eye injury; Transient visual effects ("blue haze" or "halo vision") occur at low concentrations; [CHEMINFO] May cause respiratory tract irritation and pulmonary edema; [ICSC]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
5 ppm
STEL (ACGIH)
15 ppm
MAK
2 ppm
Odor Threshold Low
0.0002 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.00087 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LCLo (rat) = 3,500 ppm/4h
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold from AIHA; The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for anhydrous trimethylamine.
Reference Link #2
NFPA
burn readily
ERPG-1
0.1 ppm
ERPG-2
100 ppm
ERPG-3
500 ppm
WEEL
1 ppm

Adverse Effects

Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: