Trimethylamine hydrochloride
[CAS# 593-81-7]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Amino compound >> Acyclic monoamines, polyamines and their derivatives and salts
• Name: Trimethylamine hydrochloride
• Synonyms: Trimethylammonium chloride
• Molecular Formula: C₃H₉N.HCl;C₃H₁₀ClN
• Molecular Weight: 95.57
• CAS Registry Number: 593-81-7
• EC Number: 209-810-0
• SMILES: CN(C)C.Cl

Properties

• Melting point: 283-284 °C
• Water solubility: SOLUBLE

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Risk Statements: H315-H319
• Safety Statements: P264-P264+P265-P280-P302+P352-P305+P351+P338-P321-P332+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2A	H319
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335

Discovery and Applications

Trimethylamine hydrochloride (TMA HCl) is an important organic compound with a variety of uses in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Its discovery and applications highlight its role as a versatile chemical reagent and intermediate.

Trimethylamine hydrochloride has been known to chemists since the early 19th century. Trimethylamine itself was first discovered in 1812 by French chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas. The hydrochloride form of trimethylamine hydrochloride was later developed to produce a more stable and easier to manage volatile trimethylamine gas form. This transformation facilitates handling and has found wider application in various chemical processes.

The chemical formula of trimethylamine hydrochloride is C3H9N·HCl and its molecular weight is 95.57 g/mol. It is a white crystalline powder that is very soluble in water. The compound consists of trimethylamine molecules that are protonated and paired with chloride ions. This form is preferred in many applications due to its greater stability and ease of use compared to gaseous trimethylamine.

The main use of trimethylamine hydrochloride is in the synthesis of quaternary ammonium compounds. These compounds are important intermediates in the production of surfactants, disinfectants, and fabric softeners. The stability of TMA HCl makes it an ideal starting material for these syntheses. TMA HCl is used as a methylating agent in organic synthesis. It is used to introduce methyl groups into various molecules, aiding in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other fine chemicals. Its reactivity makes it valuable in creating complex molecular structures.

In the pharmaceutical industry, trimethylamine hydrochloride is used in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It is involved in the preparation of intermediates and final products for the preparation of drugs that treat a wide range of diseases. Its role as a precursor for drug synthesis highlights its importance in the development of new therapeutics. TMA HCl is also used as an excipient in drug formulations. An excipient is an inactive substance that acts as a carrier or medium for an active drug. The stability and solubility of TMA HCl make it suitable for inclusion in a variety of dosage forms.

Trimethylamine hydrochloride is used in biochemical studies to study enzyme inhibition. It serves as a model compound to study enzyme activity and the mechanism of inhibition. Such studies are essential for understanding enzyme function and developing enzyme inhibitors as potential drugs. TMA HCl is also used to study metabolic pathways involving trimethylamine. Understanding these pathways can provide insights into diseases such as trimethylaminuria, a metabolic disorder characterized by an inability to break down trimethylamine.

In agriculture, trimethylamine HCl is used to synthesize certain pesticides and herbicides. Its role in the production of these chemicals helps protect crops from pests and weeds, thereby increasing agricultural productivity.

TMA HCl is involved in the production of polymers and resins. It is used as a catalyst or reactant in polymerization processes to produce materials with specific properties. These materials can be used in coatings, adhesives, and other industrial products.

The future of trimethylamine HCl lies in continued research and development to expand its applications. Innovations in synthetic chemistry may find new uses for TMA HCl in the manufacture of advanced materials and pharmaceuticals. In addition, environmental considerations will drive the development of greener synthesis methods and applications for this versatile compound.

References

2024 Novel cocktail therapy based on multifunctional supramolecular hydrogel targeting immune-angiogenesis-nerve network for enhanced diabetic wound healing Journal of Nanobiotechnology
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-03038-7

2024 Solvent-mediated analgesia via the suppression of water permeation through TRPV1 ion channels Nature Biomedical Engineering
DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01288-2

2024 Metabolomic and genomic insights into TMA degradation by a novel halotolerant strain - Paracoccus sp. PS1 Archives of Microbiology
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03931-7