Trimethylamine
The simplest tertiary amine, and one with a smell nobody forgets — but behind that intensely fishy odour sits a genuinely useful feedstock: choline synthesis, anion-exchange resins, and quaternary ammonium chemistry all start here.
Chelora Chemicals supplies trimethylamine, as compressed gas or aqueous solution, to resin, agrochemical and fine-chemical manufacturers worldwide, with full GHS documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 75-50-3
- IUPAC name
- N,N-Dimethylmethanamine
- Molecular formula
- C₃H₉N
- Molecular weight
- 59.11 g/mol
- EC / EINECS
- 200-875-4
- UN Number
- 1083 (anhydrous gas)
- SMILES
- CN(C)C
- HS Code
- 2921 11*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What Trimethylamine is used for
Trimethylamine is a colourless gas at ambient temperature, commercially supplied either as a compressed gas in cylinders or diluted to a 25% or 40% aqueous solution. It is the simplest tertiary amine — three methyl groups on a single nitrogen — and that structural simplicity makes it the starting point for several large downstream chemistries.
Its principal industrial route is into choline (reacted with ethylene oxide) and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (further methylated), both significant commercial products in their own right. It is also a feedstock for strongly basic anion-exchange resins, a range of herbicides and plant-growth regulators, and dye-levelling agents and basic dyes.
Where it sits among the methylamines
- Trimethylamine (this product) the tertiary methylamine — three methyl groups, no N-H bond, a genuinely different reactivity profile from the primary and secondary forms.
- Dimethylamine the secondary methylamine, a related co-product of the same industrial process.
- Methylamine the primary methylamine — a controlled precursor chemical with a very different regulatory profile. See that page.
See our wider amine range for the other aliphatic amines we supply, including ethylamine and triethylamine.
Appearance and handling character
The gas is colourless with an intensely fishy, ammoniacal odour detectable at concentrations well below any hazardous threshold — a genuine practical consideration for ventilation and odour containment, independent of its toxicological classification. Aqueous solutions carry the same odour at lower intensity.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless liquid, strong fishy odour |
| Assay (trimethylamine content) | 40.0 ± 1.0% |
| Density (20 °C) | 0.89 – 0.90 g/mL |
| Dimethylamine impurity | 0.5% max |
| Water (balance) | Reported per batch |
Important: the figures above are indicative of a common commercial form and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document. Gas-phase and 25% aqueous forms carry their own separate specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Gas at ambient; liquid under its own vapour pressure |
| Boiling point | 3 – 7 °C |
| Melting point | -117.2 °C |
| Density (liquid, 0 °C) | 0.67 g/mL |
| Water solubility | Fully miscible |
| Basicity | Weaker base than primary/secondary amines (steric effects) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 75-50-3 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this amine to work
A simple tertiary amine that feeds several distinct, well-established downstream chemistries.
Choline & TMAH synthesis
The feedstock for choline (via ethylene oxide) and tetramethylammonium hydroxide, both significant commercial fine chemicals.
- Technical-grade specification
- Contracted tonnage available
- Technical desk support on form selection
Anion-exchange resins
A key feedstock for strongly basic anion-exchange resins used in water treatment and industrial purification.
- Bulk tonnage supply available
- Consistent assay across batches
- Contracted annual tonnage supported
Herbicides & plant-growth regulators
An intermediate in a range of agrochemical actives and growth-regulating compounds.
- End-use declaration standard practice
- Technical-grade specification
- Contracted supply for seasonal demand
Dye-levelling agents & basic dyes
Used in the manufacture of certain dye-levelling agents and basic dye structures.
- Technical documentation supplied
- Small-pack trial quantities available
- Colour-critical specification on request
Research & analytical use
Small-scale cylinder or solution quantities for method development and process research.
- Packs from small cylinders / 5 L solution
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Contract & scheduled supply
Resin and fine-chemical producers consuming continuously are supported with scheduled call-off tonnage.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Trimethylamine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. On a flammable gas supplied in two very different physical forms, that means matching your order to the form your process actually runs, not whichever a single plant happens to have.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required form, your price point and your delivery window.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Form confirmed before we quote. Gas and aqueous solution carry entirely different packing, transport and handling requirements.
- Assay and dimethylamine content reported. The co-product impurity level matters to downstream reaction consistency, and we report it on every COA.
- Odour-containment packing where it matters. A real practical consideration on this product, independent of hazard classification.
- UN classification confirmed for your exact form. Gas and solution ship under different entries, and we file the correct one.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Gas and aqueous-solution forms need completely different packing logic. Tell us your preferred form and we will quote and classify to it.
Anhydrous gas
Compressed-gas cylinders for processes that consume trimethylamine directly in gaseous form.
Aqueous solution (25% or 40%)
UN-approved drums with odour-containment sealing for standard industrial handling.
Bulk aqueous solution
For contracted, continuous-consumption customers running fine-chemical or resin production.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs in your chosen form, dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with dangerous-goods documentation filed before booking.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your production calendar.
A flammable gas that announces its own presence
Trimethylamine's hazard profile depends on physical form. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific form is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H220Extremely flammable gas (anhydrous).H315Causes skin irritation.H318Causes serious eye damage.H332Harmful if inhaled.H335May cause respiratory irritation.
Aqueous-solution forms carry a related but separate classification set depending on concentration. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and form.
Spill & emergency orientation
Plan your response before the shipment arrives. Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the SDS are the authoritative instructions and should be posted at the point of use.
- Eliminate ignition sources immediately. Gas and concentrated solution forms are both flammable.
- Ventilate before re-entry. The intense odour is detectable well before a hazardous concentration is reached, which is a useful early-warning property, not a reason to delay ventilation.
- Contain liquid spills; avoid drain discharge. Collect per the SDS rather than diluting with water alone.
- Chemical-resistant PPE for direct contact. Concentrated solution is corrosive to skin and eyes.
- Treat inhalation exposure seriously. Move to fresh air and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Storage
- Dedicated, well-ventilated, flame-free storage. Segregated from oxidisers and ignition sources.
- Pressure-rated containment for gas form. Cylinders require certified handling equipment and trained personnel.
- Cool storage for aqueous solutions. Reduces vapour release and odour at the warehouse level.
- Keep containers tightly closed. Limits both flammable-vapour release and odour escape.
Handling & PPE
- Closed-system transfer wherever possible. Minimises vapour release and corrosive contact risk.
- Flame-proof electrical equipment in handling areas. Standard requirement for any flammable-gas operation.
- Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection. For any operation involving direct contact with concentrated solution.
- Respiratory protection per your exposure assessment. Particularly for gas-handling operations.
Transport
Anhydrous trimethylamine gas ships as UN 1083, Class 2.1 (flammable gas). Aqueous solutions are classified separately depending on concentration. We classify your specific shipment and file the dangerous-goods declaration before the booking is made — ask us for the current transport paperwork when you plan the shipment.
What travels with every consignment
A chemical shipment is only as good as the file that travels with it.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-specific assay, dimethylamine impurity and water content, checked against your specification before release.
GHS Safety Data Sheet
Full 16-section SDS covering hazards, exposure controls, handling, storage, spill response and disposal, specific to the form supplied.
Dangerous-goods declaration
Form-specific UN classification, packing certification and carrier documentation filed before booking.
Analytical method & traceability
Assay method documentation and batch traceability to the producing plant, on request.
Certificate of Origin
Chamber-attested where required, plus preferential-origin forms where a trade agreement gives your import duty relief.
Retained & pre-shipment samples
Pre-shipment samples carry the same COA as the commercial lot, so what your laboratory qualifies is exactly what arrives.
Why the tertiary form behaves so differently
Losing the N-H bonds changes trimethylamine's reactivity in ways that matter to every downstream process built on it. The outline below is general background, not a process disclosure.
Methanol + ammonia
Industrially produced by reacting methanol with ammonia over a catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure.
Co-product separation
Methylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine form together and are separated by distillation.
Formulate to form
Packaged as compressed gas or diluted to the required aqueous concentration.
QC release
The batch is tested against specification for assay and co-product impurity before release.
Why the tertiary structure matters
Trimethylamine's chemistry is shaped by having no N-H bond at all:
- No hydrogen-bond donor site. This changes solubility and reactivity patterns compared with the primary and secondary methylamines.
- A weaker base than its primary/secondary relatives. Steric crowding around the nitrogen reduces its basicity relative to what electronics alone would predict.
- A good nucleophile for quaternisation. This is exactly the reaction used to build tetramethylammonium hydroxide and related quaternary ammonium compounds.
- The intense odour is a real handling signal. It gives early warning of a leak well before any hazardous concentration is reached.
That reactivity profile is why trimethylamine, methylamine and dimethylamine — though related — serve almost entirely different downstream markets.
| Material | Position in the family |
|---|---|
| Trimethylamine CAS 75-50-3 — this product | Tertiary methylamine |
| Methylamine CAS 74-89-5 | Primary methylamine · controlled |
| Triethylamine CAS 121-44-8 | Tertiary ethylamine |
| Ethylamine CAS 75-04-7 | Primary ethylamine |
We supply across this amine family — see the full intermediate range. Send the CAS number and we will confirm the correct material before quoting.
What actually moves the price of this product
Knowing what drives the quote helps you time a purchase and read whether an offer is realistic.
Methanol & ammonia feedstock
Production depends on bulk petrochemical feedstocks, so their cost cycles filter through over a quarter, not a day.
- We flag feedstock-driven moves in the quote
- Longer contracts smooth short-term swings
- Ask about indexed pricing on contracted volumes
Physical form
Gas and aqueous solution carry very different packing, freight and handling costs for the same underlying molecule.
- Specify the form your process actually uses
- Aqueous solution is usually the lowest-friction form to ship
- We quote across forms for comparison
Concentration grade
25% and 40% aqueous solutions are priced differently per kilo of contained trimethylamine — compare on that basis, not on drum price.
- Compare on a contained-amine basis
- Ask which concentration suits your dosing system
- We quote both for comparison
Dangerous-goods freight
Flammable-gas classification adds real freight cost and carrier restrictions compared with a non-hazardous product.
- Compare on landed cost, not ex-works
- Carrier availability varies by lane — ask early
- We quote FOB, CIF, CFR or DDP as you prefer
Source concentration
Production is concentrated among a limited number of large-scale amine plants, so a single plant's turnaround can move the market.
- We hold a second qualified source on this line
- Qualify the alternate before you need it
- Ask us about dual-source contracts
Contract cadence
Resin and fine-chemical producers consuming continuously benefit most from scheduled call-off contracts.
- Annual contracts smooth price exposure
- We hold inventory and release on call-off
- Ask about scheduled despatch
| If your end use is… | Specify |
|---|---|
| Choline / TMAH synthesis | Gas or 40% aqueous, technical grade |
| Anion-exchange resin manufacture | 40% aqueous, standard impurity spec |
| Herbicide / agrochemical intermediate | Technical grade, end-use declaration |
| Research / analytical use | Small cylinder or 5 L solution, full COA |
Not sure which row you are in? Describe what you make from it and our technical desk will recommend the form and grade.
Support that goes beyond shipping the drum
What our technical desk will do
- Confirm the right physical form. Gas and aqueous solution suit different reaction setups, and we will say which fits yours.
- Flag odour-containment packing where useful. A real site consideration, independent of the regulatory hazard classification.
- Recommend concentration for your dosing system. 25% and 40% aqueous solutions suit different process equipment.
- Be straight about the flammability classification. Stated at enquiry stage so your EHS team can plan containment before the first delivery.
Regulatory & compliance notes
- Import controls vary by destination. We check destination rules before quoting, not after you have raised the PO.
- Chemical inventory listings differ between regions. We will supply the identity data you need for that filing.
- Odour-nuisance rules can apply at the facility level. Independent of formal hazard classification, some jurisdictions regulate odorous emissions separately.
None of the above is legal advice — your own regulatory affairs team owns the final compliance position for your import, your product formulation and your workplace. What we commit to is accurate product identity data, an honest statement of the hazard and regulatory status, and complete documentation to work from.
From enquiry to delivered pallet
Send the specification
Product name or CAS 75-50-3, required form and concentration, quantity, pack preference and destination port.
Receive a firm quote
Pricing, lead time, packing and Incoterm confirmed in writing within 24 hours — our sourcing desk is staffed around the clock.
Qualify and approve
Sample dispatched if you are qualifying a new source. Batch COA shared for your approval before the material is released.
Ship and track
Classification confirmed, freight booked, export documents issued, and the consignment tracked through transit and clearance.
Others in the Chelora range
What buyers ask us about Trimethylamine
What is trimethylamine used for?
Why does trimethylamine smell so strong?
What forms do you supply?
Is trimethylamine hazardous to handle?
What is the UN transport classification?
What is the minimum order quantity?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Request pricing on Trimethylamine
Send your required form and concentration, quantity, pack format and destination port. Our sourcing desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and comes back with pricing, lead time and packing options.