3-Dimethylamino-1,2-Propanediol, also known as N,N-Dimethyl-3-Amino-1-Propanediol, is one of those chemicals many of us in industrial or lab settings will come across if we’re dealing with surfactants, buffers, or certain synthetic processes. Anyone stepping into a warehouse or chemical storeroom might spot it labeled under the HS Code 2922199090, which tells customs and suppliers this is an organic base and a type of amino alcohol. You see it turn up more often than you’d think in materials for coatings, specialty resins, and ink formulations. During the years I spent supporting specialty chemical procurement, I found requests for it spiked especially in the start of the coatings season, because a good deal of end-use applications can hinge on its molecular ability to buffer pH or modify reactivity.
The molecular formula for 3-Dimethylamino-1,2-Propanediol clocks in at C5H13NO2, with a molar mass hovering around 119.16 grams per mole. Chemically, it has a dimethylamino group attached to the first carbon of a propanediol chain and hydroxyl groups on the first and second carbons. These features make it highly miscible with water—if you’ve ever mixed up a lab prep, you’ll know it dissolves with a few stirs, giving off a slightly amine-like odor. At room temperature, you’ll find it most often as a colorless to pale yellow solid, though in high humidity and heat, small lots can take on a syrupy or viscous liquid form. Some suppliers offer it as flakes, easy to portion and handle, while others will sell it as fine powder, pearls, or occasionally as a crystalline solid. Each form lends itself to different methods of weighing and dissolution, depending on what production demands.
Diving into the physical side, the density sits near 1.03-1.06 g/cm3 at 25°C, which falls right in line with many unremarkable glycols and polyols, making it easy to pump or meter in liquid processes. Purity usually ranges from 98% up, with strict limits on water content because too much moisture can mess with reactivity. You see this reflected all over specification sheets—clarity, melt point, volatile content. For buyers, clarity and odor grade spell out if it’ll suit delicate reaction schemes or mass-market formulations. In my own sourcing, I’ve been frustrated by differences in batch consistency, especially with recycled or reclaimed lots; reputable sources tend to offer better visual clarity and less off-spec odor.
Every chemist and operator deserves straight talk on chemical safety, especially in the age where regulations and workplace claims grow tighter each year. As a raw material, 3-Dimethylamino-1,2-Propanediol has hazards typical of organic amines. It’s not acutely toxic, but it can cause irritation to skin and eyes on direct contact, and inhaling dust or vapor above permissible exposure levels causes discomfort. Spilled powder on the floor turns slick with a drop of water and can create a mess in a crowded loading dock. Material Safety Data Sheets raise flags about its classification as a mild irritant; gloves, goggles, and good ventilation serve well as basic protection. In storage, its solid and powder forms tend to cake if the humidity climbs—users who keep drums in outdoor sheds often find lumps and bridging, so an indoor, cool, and dry environment works best. No major chronic effects link to this substance, but like so many materials in the specialty sector, it sits flagged under hazard communication programs to remind handlers about safe practices.
With decades of specialty chemical sourcing under my belt, I see this molecule pop up as a building block for buffer agents, surfactants, resins, and stabilizers in everything from industrial cleaning solutions to high-end inkjet inks. Manufacturers like its dual functionality—those hydroxyl groups bring water solubility and reactivity; the dimethylamino portion tempers pH or lends emulsifying strength. In resins, it helps adjust reaction times. In surfactant production, it balances hydrophilicity and lipophilicity, allowing products to perform under different temperature or pH scenarios. On the application floor, plant chemists look for consistency in bulk delivery and reliable dissolution. Packaging varies between fiber drums, plastic kegs, and sometimes lined bags, all marked with UN hazardous labels when shipped in large quantities. Handling solutions include workplace training, safety signage, and updated Safety Data Sheets for each new shipment, so no one gets blindsided by a spill or splash.
Chemical supply chains have gone through big changes the last decade, with increased focus on traceability and sustainability. Many users ask about raw material origin, production footprint, and possibilities for greener sourcing, especially if their own end customers—like those in personal care or consumer goods—demand transparency. Producers investigate routes from renewable feedstocks when possible and look to recover or recycle cuttings and trimmings from packaging. Frequently, cost trumps every other factor, but those of us paying attention know regulations on VOCs and chemical hazards are rising every year. Training staff about spills, handling, and PPE remains a straightforward, effective approach. Better tracking systems—RFID, barcoding, batch certification—reduce errors and boost confidence in both quality and safety. Quality audits by third parties help keep suppliers honest and provide the verification needed in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals or major coatings manufacturing.
For those on the ground—plant operators, warehouse teams, batch chemists—details about 3-Dimethylamino-1,2-Propanediol matter. Knowing the density lets you meter it accurately. Understanding its solid, powder, and liquid forms minimizes accidents and waste. Familiarity with its reactivity and hazards leads to safer, more reliable production. More and more, manufacturers and customers demand provenance and routine transparency—the days of buying a drum sight-unseen are going out the door. Whether you’re sourcing a basic raw material or formulating a specialty resin, keeping tabs on handling, safety, and supply chain details means fewer headaches, higher-quality outcomes, and a safer workplace for everyone involved.
Providing high-quality chemical products and logistics solutions for global trade partners.
