Trimethylamine
Trimethylamine, also known as NMe3, N3, and TMA, is a colorless, hygroscopic, and flammable simple
amine with a typical fishy
odor in low
concentrations and an
ammonia-like odor in higher concentrations. Trimethylamine has a boiling point of 2.9 ?C and is a gas at room temperature. Trimethylamine usually comes in pressurized
gas cylinders or as a 40%
solution in
water. Trimethylamine is a nitrogenous base and its positively charged cation is called trimethylammonium cation. A common
salt of trimethylamine is trimethylammonium chloride, a hygroscopic colorless solid.
Encyclopedia
| Trimethylamine |
|---|
| Chemical name | Trimethylamine |
| Chemical formula | C3H9N |
| Molecular mass | 59.11 g/mol |
| Melting point | -117.1 °C |
| Boiling point | 2.9 °C |
| Density | 0.67 g/ml |
| CAS number | 75-50-3 |
| SMILES | CNC |
| |
|
Trimethylamine, also known as
NMe3,
N3, and
TMA, is a colorless, hygroscopic, and flammable simple
amine with a typical fishy
odor in low
concentrations and an
ammonia-like odor in higher concentrations. Trimethylamine has a boiling point of 2.9 °C and is a gas at room temperature. Trimethylamine usually comes in pressurized
gas cylinders or as a 40%
solution in
water. Trimethylamine is a nitrogenous base and its positively charged cation is called
trimethylammonium cation. A common
salt of trimethylamine is
trimethylammonium chloride, a hygroscopic colorless solid.
Trimethylamine is a product of decomposition of plants and animals. It is the substance mainly responsible for the fishy odor often associated with fouling
fish,
bacterial
vagina infections, and bad breath. It is also associated with taking large doses of choline and carnitine.
Applications
Trimethylamine is used in the chemical synthesis of
choline, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, plant growth regulators, strongly basic
anion exchange resins, and
dye leveling agents.
Trimethylaminuria
- Main article: Trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria is a genetic disorder in which the body is unable to
metabolize trimethylamine from food sources. Patients develop a characteristic fish odour of their sweat, urine, and breath after the consumption of choline-rich foods. Trimethylaminuria is an autosomal
recessive disorder involving a trimethylamine oxidase deficiency. Trimethylaminuria has also been observed in a certain breed of Rhode Island Red
chicken that produces eggs with a fishy smell.
See also
External links