Dimethylaniline

Synonyms

(Dimethylamino)benzene; Aniline, N,N-dimethyl-; Benzenamine, N,N-dimethyl-; Dimethylaniline; Dimethylphenylamine; Dwumetyloanilina [Polish]; N,N-(Dimethylamino)benzene; N,N-Dimethylaniline; N,N-Dimethylbenzenamine; N,N-Dimethylbenzeneamine; N,N-Dimethylphenylamine; NL 63-10P; Versneller NL 63/10; [ChemIDplus] UN2253

Category

Amines, Aromatic

Description

Pale yellow, oily liquid with an amine-like odor; Note: A solid below 36 degrees F; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used in the synthesis of vanillin, methyl violet, and Michler's ketone; also used as a hardener for plastic resins and a acid scavenger in the manufacture of semisynthetic penicillins and cephalosporins; [ACGIH]

Comments

N,N-diethylaniline and N,N-dimethylaniline are potent methemoglobin-inducers with toxicity similar to aniline. [ILO Encyclo, Aromatic Amino Compounds] Listed in a table of "Industrial Chemicals for Which Methemoglobin Formation is the Principal Cause of Toxicity"; [ACGIH] A skin and eye irritant that can induce methemoglobinemia; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Methemoglobin in blood = 1.5% of hemoglobin during or at end of shift. [ACGIH]

Yes

5 ppm

10 ppm

5 ppm

5 ppm

100 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

N,N­Dimethylaniline has been reported to be quantitatively less toxic than aniline but produces a very similar effect -- notably, methemoglobinemia [Clayton and Clayton 1981].

0.7 mm Hg

0.001 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.2 ppm

LCLo (rat) = 250 mg/m3/4H

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = 63 deg C; VP from HSDB;

high ambient temp required

MetHgb is primary toxic effect

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Methemoglobinemia, acute

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Plastic Composites Manufacturing

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Sculpturing plastics