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(organic chemistry)
(CH3)2NH Flammable gas with ammonia aroma, boiling at 7°C; soluble in water, ether, and alcohol; used as an acid-gas absorbent, solvent, and flotation agent, in pharmaceuticals and electroplating, and in dehairing hides.



a secondary acyclic amine, (CH3)2NH; a colorless gas with a sharp, unpleasant odor. Upon cooling it condenses readily to a colorless liquid. Melting point, −92.2°C; boiling point, 6.9°C. It is soluble in water and organic solvents; with acids it yields crystalline salts and undergoes acylation, alkylation, and nitrosation. It is formed upon putrefaction of proteins.

In industry, dimethylamine is prepared (with an admixture of trimethylamine) from methanol and ammonia, as well as from formaldehyde and ammonium chloride. It is used in organic synthesis (the Mannich reaction) to produce medicinal preparations (dicain, chlorpromazine, and so on), rocket fuel (dimethylhydrazine), and vulcanization accelerators.

References in periodicals archive ?
This detergent composition is comprised of chelant comprising glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid or a derivative thereof; a surfactant system consisting of an anionic surfactant, an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and a coco dimethyl amine oxide amphoteric surfactant present at a level from approximately 0.
US Patent 8,871,700 B2: Procter & Gamble has patented a liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition that is comprised of C12-14 linear alkyl dimethyl amine oxide; a Zn2+ salt selected from the group consisting of Zn carbonate, Zn sulphate, Zn citrate and mixtures thereof; an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfate, alkyl ethoxy sulfate and mixtures thereof; an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, benzyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof; and at least one biocide selected from the group consisting of a halogenated benzyl alcohol derivative, a halogenated hydroxy-diphenylether, a quaternary ammonium salt, an alkylbenzethonium chloride, a peroxide bleach system, and mixtures thereof.