Betaine

Synonyms

1-Carboxy-N,N,N-trimethylmethanaminium hydroxide, inner salt; Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt; (Carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide, inner salt; 2-(Trimethylammonio)ethanoic acid, hydroxide, inner salt; Abromine; Betaine; Glycine betaine; Glycine, trimethylbetaine; Glycocoll betaine; Glycylbetaine; Glykokollbetain [German]; Jortaine; Loramine AMB 13; Lycine; Oxyneurine; Rubrine C; Trimethylaminoacetic acid; Trimethylglycine; Trimethylglycocoll; alpha-Earleine; [ChemIDplus] Cystadane (anhydrous betaine for oral solution); [HSDB]

Category

Quaternary Amines

Description

Deliquescent solid; [Merck Index] Powder; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Occurs naturally in plants and animals; Used in the treatment of homocystinuria; [Merck Index] Used in soldering and resin curing fluxes, in organic synthesis, and in fisheries (promotes fish survival and aids transfer of salmon and trout from freshwater to seawater); [HSDB] "Trimethylglycine (TMG) is an organic compound that occurs in plants. Trimethylglycine was the first betaine discovered; originally it was simply called betaine because, in the 19th century, it was discovered in sugar beets. Since then, many other betaines have been discovered, and the more specific name glycine betaine distinguishes this one." [Wikipedia]

Comments

No evidence of mutagenicity; [HSDB] Does not cross the placenta well in animal experiments; [REPROTOX] Not irritating to skin or eyes of rabbits; Not sensitizing in guinea pig maximization test; No evidence of mutagenicity; [IUCLID] May cause irritation; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Biomedical References

5.34E-07 mm Hg

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Soldering