Trimethylamine: Properties, Reactions, Production and Uses

Trimethylamine structure

Trimethylamine is an organic compound with the formula N(CH3)3. It is a colorless gas or compressed liquid with a strong fishy odor at low concentrations. At higher concentrations, the odor becomes more ammonia-like.

Trimethylamine is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in many plants and animals. It is also produced by the breakdown of organic matter, such as fish and other seafood. In the human body, it is produced by the gut bacteria as they break down certain foods.

Table of Contents

1. Physical Properties of Trimethylamine

Trimethylamine has a stronger fishy odor than the other methylamines (methylamine and dimethylamine). The human nose can detect trimethylamine at a low concentration of <10 ppb produced from the decomposition of plants and animals.

Crystalline hydrate (CH3)3N·10 H2O is formed by cooling saturated aqueous solutions of trimethylamine. At atmospheric pressure, it forms minimum-boiling azeotropes with ammonia and other methylamines.

Triethylamine is soluble in various organic solvents, including methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, and ethylene glycol, and its aqueous solutions can dissolve many inorganic and organic compounds.

Some physical properties of trimethylamine are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Physical properties of trimethylamine
Property Value
Molecular weight, g/mol 59.11
Boiling point (101.33 kPa), °C 2.8
Melting point, °C -117.1
Density (at 25 °C, liquid), g/cm3 0.6331
pKa (at 25 °C) 9.80
Refractive index at 0 °C 1.3631
Surface tension (25 °C), 10-3 N/m 13.47
Heat of vaporization at 25 °C, kJ/mol 22.864
Heat of vaporization at boiling point, kJ/mol 27.708
Heat of fusion, kJ/mol 6.548
Standard heat of formation at 25 °C (liquid), kJ/mol -45.80
Standard heat of formation at 25 °C (gas), kJ/mol -23.86
Heat of combustion, standard state at 25 °C, liquid, kJ/mol -2422.60
Heat capacity, ideal gas (25 °C), J K-1 mol-1 91.8
Critical temperature, °C 160.1
Critical pressure, MPa 4.07
Dielectric constant (25 °C), liquid 2.44
Dipole moment in benzene (25 °C), D 0.87
Flash point (closed cup), °C -71
Ignition temperature in air, °C 190
Lower explosion limit in air, vol % 2
Upper explosion limit in air, vol % 11.6

2. Chemical Reactions of Trimethylamine

Trimethylamine is a weak base that forms salts like trimethylammonium chloride with hydrochloric acid. This reaction involves the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom.

reaction of trimethylamine with hydrochloric acid

In the gas phase, the basicity of the methylamines increases based on methyl group substitution, as follows:

(CH3)3N > (CH3)2NH > CH3NH2 > NH3

However, in aqueous solution, the basicity of trimethylamine is lower than that of dimethylamine and methylamine. This is attributed to poorer solvation of the trimethylammonium ion, (CH3)3NH+, which has only one hydrogen available for hydrogen bonding with water molecules.

Trimethylamine reacts with organic and inorganic acids, alkyl halides, and epoxides to form quaternary ammonium salts.

Trimethylamine reaction with organic and inorganic acids, alkyl halides

The reaction of trimethylamine with ethylene oxide produces choline base or choline chloride when trimethylammonium chloride is used.

Production of choline

Trimethylamine can be oxidized with hydrogen peroxide or a peracid to yield trimethylamine oxide.

Oxidation of trimethylamine with hydrogen peroxide

3. Industrial Production of Trimethylamine

Industrial production of trimethylamine

Trimethylamine is industrially produced by the reaction of ammonia and methanol in the presence of a catalyst, typically an alumina-based catalyst, at 350–450 °C. This reaction produces trimethylamine along with dimethylamine and methylamine.

The reaction equilibrium favors trimethylamine formation, but the market demand is higher for monoethylamine and especially dimethylamine.

The use of amorphous solid acid catalysts, including aluminas, silicas, and phosphates, favors the formation of trimethylamine in contrast to shape-selective zeolites that are selective for dimethylamine production.

The resulting mixture contains unreacted materials (ammonia, methanol) along with the desired products (monoethylamine, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine), water generated during the reaction, and other byproducts.

A series of four to five distillation columns separate and purify the individual components. Pure anhydrous trimethylamine is recovered from the mixture by extractive distillation with water to break the azeotropic mixture formed with the other methylamines.

purification of methylamines
Figure 1: purification of methylamines
a) Ammonia column; b) Extractive distillation column; c) Column for water removal; d) MMA and DMA product column
*MMA: methylamine; DMA: dimethylamine; TMA; trimethylamine

4. Uses of Trimethylamine

Uses of trimethylamine

Trimethylamine is mainly used to produce choline and its salts, with over 60%. Other applications include the manufacturing of cationic starches, disinfectants, flotation agents, intense sweeteners, and ion-exchange resins.

Trimethylamine is used as a catalyst in the production of quaternary ammonium hydroxides and salts.

It can also be used to attract insects, and it is added to odorless natural gas as a safety measure to detect leaks.

5. Toxicology of Trimethylamine

Trimethylamine is a highly flammable liquid or gas irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract and causes pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs).

Exposure Limits

  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): 10 ppm (average) and 15 ppm (short-term)
  • American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): 5 ppm (average) and 15 ppm (short-term)

Health Effects

  • Acute (short-term): skin and eye irritation, respiratory tract irritation, coughing, shortness of breath. Severe exposure can lead to pulmonary edema.
  • Chronic (long-term): There is no conclusive evidence for carcinogenicity or reproductive effects. Other long-term health effects are not yet fully characterized.

Handling and Storage

  • Store away from oxidizing agents, mercury, ethylene oxide, strong acids, metals, and strong bases.
  • Maintain a cool, well-ventilated storage area.
  • Eliminate ignition sources like smoking and open flames.
  • Ground and bond metal containers during transfer.
  • Use non-sparking tools and equipment.

References

Chemcess
Chemcess

I am a passionate organic chemist and continuously learning about various industrial chemistry processes and chemical products. I ensure all information on this website is accurate and meticulously referenced to scientific articles.