3-(Dimethylamino)-2-propanediol continues to show up in chemical catalogs for good reason. This compound comes with the molecular formula C5H13NO2, showing a structure featuring a central propanediol backbone, which brings two alcohol functional groups, and a dimethylamino group attached at the 3-position. The molecule itself boils down to these specific groups: it contains two hydroxyl (–OH) moieties that make it a diol and a dimethylamino unit known for basic and nucleophilic behaviors. Its presence in the lab can’t really be mistaken. In its pure solid form, 3-(dimethylamino)-2-propanediol shows up as white or almost colorless crystals or flakes. This substance regularly gets distributed either as a crystalline material or sometimes as a bulky powder, which clumps easily if ambient humidity rises, due to its hygroscopic nature.
Looking for specifics on the material? This diol comes with a molar mass of about 119.16 g/mol, putting it in the range of many small organic intermediates. Most chemical suppliers format the physical details clearly: the density sits around 1.04 g/cm³ at room temperature. It melts somewhere near 50°C to 54°C, giving it a reasonably low point for processing, and it already starts to flash off long before you go over 200°C. This product dissolves pretty readily in water, as well as in alcohols and other polar solvents, because those two hydroxyl groups push the molecule’s solubility higher. Don’t expect it to float or remain stable in non-polar solvents like hexane, since the molecular structure makes that sort of compatibility unlikely.
Clients and procurement teams will find 3-(dimethylamino)-2-propanediol available in a few different formats. You see it commonly as solid flakes, powders, or even pearl-like granules if the manufacturing process delivers that size consistency. In specialized cases or at select purities, a supplier might ship it dissolved in water or another carrier, ready to pour out as a viscous liquid solution. Packing volumes vary, often going from kilogram-sized sealed containers up to industrial bulk drums aiming for sixty liters or more. Proper secondary containment remains a standard requirement, due to the compound’s easy uptake of atmospheric moisture and sensitivity to contamination from dust or atmospheric CO2. In my own handling, avoiding any caking or clumping comes down to dry storage and tight container seals.
Customs and trade regulations recognize this compound under an HS code grouped with other organic chemicals: 2922.19. Unless a special purity or intended use drops it into a more specific regulatory basket, international shipments typically use this heading. Import handlers and users depend on this identifier for paperwork, licensing, and tax calculation. It pays to confirm regulatory details with each shipment, because harmonization codes can shift based on new chemical policies or updates to the World Customs Organization schedules.
The planar backbone of the molecule creates a space for hydrogen bonding, especially when you work it into aqueous systems or formulations where solvation matters. Those hydroxyl groups on carbons 1 and 2 make the molecule attractive to chemists as a building block. The –N(CH3)2 moiety allows for alkylation, basic catalysis, and plenty of downstream chemical transformations. In technical work, it's often a go-to for reactions involving amine cross-linking or in the modification of resin chemistries. Solubility and reactivity differences show up right away if you experiment with acid-base reactions or in blend studies where molecular compatibility and stability under harsh process conditions can make or break a batch run.
Chemical workers and formulators need to treat 3-(dimethylamino)-2-propanediol with respect. It can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, thanks to both its amine and alcohol functionalities. While not considered acutely toxic or corrosive on the level of mineral acids or alkali bases, it stands to reason that even modest exposure leaves a sting. Workers must use nitrile gloves when measuring or transferring the product. Eye protection and splash shields come standard, especially for large-volume dissolving. If dusting occurs, a dust mask or full respirator is non-negotiable until local ventilation kicks in. At higher concentrations or under heat, decomposition can produce volatile organic fumes that belong in well-ventilated fume hoods. In my professional stints with handling the raw material, there's always an effort to avoid spills and quick cleaning of contaminated surfaces, which limits exposure time and keeps workspaces compliant with OSHA or REACH standards.
Industry depends on 3-(dimethylamino)-2-propanediol as a core intermediate for more specialized syntheses. You'll see it feed into manufacturing pipelines for cationic surfactants, resin additives, and even pharmaceutical agents, when the right downstream processing steps get followed. Its special blend of nucleophilicity and hydrophilicity let formulation chemists design additives or stabilizers that wouldn't work without this backbone. Some technical papers document its use as a pH buffer, a plasticizer, or as a chain extender in the plastics sector. Its solid-to-liquid transition leaves options for melt-phase reactions, which many research chemists favor to avoid excess solvent waste or to maintain higher concentrations than what’s possible in water-based systems.
Waste and spill management take on special relevance for 3-(dimethylamino)-2-propanediol. It breaks down slowly under ambient conditions, so any cleanup material gets classified as chemical waste and sent to incineration or certified disposal. Water-type spills require dilution, containment, and eventual treatment, with strict limits on how much can enter effluent systems. Municipal and industrial users face monitoring by local authorities to keep toxicological and biological impact minimal. In past projects, documenting every transfer of the chemical — including tracking through digital inventory — reduces loss, guides waste accounting, and keeps auditors satisfied during inspections for compliance with ISO or government rules.
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