The formula of methylamine in chemistry is considered almost primitive. However, for mere mortals, the name of this compound is terrifying, not to mention that nothing is known about the structure or formula. Many are not aware of the specific smell of this compound or its surprisingly wide possibilities of application in various industries. This is quite obvious, because it is impossible to know everything, and this is a fact. But isn't it interesting to discover something previously unknown?
What is methylamine?
Methylamine is an organic compound with the formula CH 3 NH 2 . It is one of the derivatives of ammonia, belongs to aliphatic organic substances. It belongs to extremely flammable compounds, as this gas mixes easily with air, forming explosive mixtures. The structure of this substance is shown in the figure below.
From the name it is obvious that this substance belongs to such a class of organic compounds as amines (namely, primary amines), and it is its simplest representative.
Under normal conditions, methylamine is a gas (as mentioned earlier), without color, but with a pronounced smell of ammonia.
Inhalation with this substance is fraught with severe irritation of the skin, eyes, upper respiratory tract. It can have a negative effect on the kidneys and liver of the body. And inhaling it leads to excitement and subsequent oppression of the central nervous system. Death may occur due to respiratory arrest.
Methods for the synthesis of methylamine
One of the industrial methods for producing methylamine is based on the reaction of methanol with ammonia. The conditions for this chemical interaction are high temperature (370-430 ° C), as well as a pressure of 20-30 bar.
The reaction is carried out in the gas phase, but on a heterogeneous catalyst based on zeolite.
In a mixture with methylamine, by-products such as dimethylamine and trimethylamine are formed. Therefore, this production method requires the purification of methylamine (for example, by repeated distillation).
Another way to obtain methylamine is to carry out the reaction of formalin with ammonium chloride by heating. But this is not the last possible option for the synthesis of this amine!
Also known is a method of producing methylamine by rearrangement of acetamide according to Hoffmann. The figure below shows the equation for this reaction.
Chemical properties of methylamine
How to get acquainted with a new chemical compound? First you need to find out what its name is, features of the structure. Then it is important to understand how it can be obtained, therefore, first it was told about methods for producing methylamine. And now you need to study its chemical properties.
This organic compound has all the typical properties of primary amines, as it is a standard representative of this class.
The combustion of methylamine corresponds to the equation: 4CH 3 NH 2 + 9O 2 = 4CO 2 + 10H 2 O + 2N 2
If water or mineral acid acts as a substance that reacts with methylamine, methyl ammonium hydroxide or a crystalline salt, respectively, is formed.
These reactions are presented in the figure below.
If we compare methylamine with aniline or ammonia, we can conclude that methylamine exhibits stronger basic properties. This is because the nitrogen atom in the composition of methylamine molecules is more electronegative.
If NaOCl acts as a substance that reacts with methylamine, then chlorination occurs - the hydrogen atom in the amino group is replaced by a chlorine atom. Like other primary amines, methylamine forms an alcohol when reacted with nitrous acid (HNO 2 ).
Methylamine use and storage conditions
CH 3 NH 2 has a very wide scope. It is used for the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals (for example, neophylline, theophylline, promedol), pesticides, herbicides, insecticides (sevin, shradan), fungicides, land sterilizers in rural industry, and is also used in veterinary medicine.
Methylamine is also used in the manufacture of strong explosive substances (such as, for example, tetryl), various photo materials (methols), solvents (for example, DMF, dimethylacetamide), vulcanization accelerators, corrosion inhibitors, tannins, rocket fuels (N, N- dimethylhydrazine).
Methylamine is also found in nature as a secondary excretion in bone fish.
Most often, this compound is used in the form of a 40% solution in water, methanol, ethanol or tetrahydrofuran.
To use methylamine in the production or in the manufacturing process of something, you must properly store it.
Optimum storage conditions: in a liquefied form in a volume of 10-250 m 3 , in cylindrical tanks located horizontally at room temperature, but away from sunlight, in places inaccessible to children and animals.
Of course, when working with methylamine, as with any other chemical substance, it is necessary to use special clothing, gloves and glasses for personal protection. Particular attention should be paid to the protection of the mucous membranes and respiratory organs.