Chemical Name: Methylamine
Synonyms: Methanamine, Monomethylamine
CAS Number: 74-89-5
Recommended Uses: Chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, water treatment
Supplier Details: Chemical supplier addresses, emergency phone numbers
Product Type: Gas (compressed or liquefied) or aqueous solution
Hazard Classification: Extremely flammable gas, toxic if inhaled, causes severe skin burns and eye damage
GHS Symbols: Flame, skull and crossbones, corrosion
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: May form explosive mixtures with air, exposure may result in chemical burns, inhaling vapors can cause respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; store away from oxidizers and acids
NFPA Ratings: Health: 3, Flammability: 4, Instability: 2
Chemical Name: Methylamine
Concentration: 100% for anhydrous, variable in aqueous solution (usually 30-40%)
Impurities: Water (if solution), trace ammonia, other amine contaminants possible
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult; seek medical help right away
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention for burns
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, hold lids open and seek urgent medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth, seek medical attention; never give anything by mouth if person is unconscious
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam; water spray can cool containers but may not extinguish fire
Specific Hazards: Gas forms explosive mixtures with air, risk of explosion if heated, emits toxic fumes (nitrogen oxides, ammonia) on combustion
Fire Fighting Instructions: Evacuate area, fight fire from safe distance, wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear, keep run-off water out of sewers and waterways
Spill Management: Evacuate area, ventilate if safe, remove ignition sources, use water spray to reduce vapors, absorb aqueous spills with inert material, neutralize with dilute acid (under controlled conditions)
Personal Protection: Wear nitrile gloves, full-face respirator, flame-retardant clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, soil; alert emergency services if large amounts are released
Handling: Keep away from open flames, sparks, and other sources of ignition, avoid releasing vapors, work in chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area, use spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers under nitrogen or inert gas, keep cool and dry, labeled for methylamine, segregate from oxidizers, acids, and chlorine compounds, keep storage areas locked and limited to trained personnel
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (18 mg/m³); ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm (8-hour TWA)
Engineering Controls: Use fume hoods, explosion-proof ventilation, leak detection systems
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical goggles, gloves (neoprene or nitrile), flame-resistant lab coat, full-face respirators with ammonia/methylamine cartridges or supplied-air if levels exceed limits
Appearance: Colorless gas or clear, colorless liquid (solution)
Odor: Strong fishy, ammonia-like smell
Boiling Point: -6.3°C (20.7°F) for gas
Melting Point: -93.5°C (-136°F)
Solubility: Miscible with water
Vapor Pressure: 4.1 atm at 21°C
Density: 0.699 g/cm³ (gas), varies in solution
Flash Point: Not applicable (gas), highly flammable
Autoignition Temperature: 430°C (806°F)
Explosive Limits: 4.9–20.7% (in air)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, reacts with acids to generate toxic fumes, decomposes with heat
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, acid chlorides, copper, zinc
Hazardous Decomposition: Nitrogen oxides, ammonia, flammable vapors
Polymerization: Not known to occur under normal conditions
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Burns, coughing, breathing difficulty, headache, nausea
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may damage respiratory system, skin, eyes
LD50/LC50: Oral (rat) LD50: 100 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4 hr): 4300 ppm
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by NTP, IARC, OSHA
Other Effects: Sensitization uncommon, may cause allergic symptoms in rare cases
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Harmful in larger amounts to fish and aquatic organisms
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable, does not accumulate in environment
Mobility: Moves quickly in soil and water
Bioaccumulation Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate
Disposal Methods: Neutralize cautiously with dilute acid under controlled conditions, collect in suitable container for hazardous chemical waste, never pour down the drain, incinerate at approved facility with scrubber system
Regulatory Waste Codes: Check local, state, and federal regulations; often listed as hazardous waste (D001, D003 in US)
UN Number: 1061 (Anhydrous Methylamine), 1235 (Aqueous Solution)
Proper Shipping Name: Methylamine, anhydrous or in aqueous solution
Hazard Class: 2.1 (flammable gas), 8 (corrosive for some solutions)
Packing Group: Not assigned for compressed gases
Labels: Flammable Gas, Corrosive (if applicable)
Transport Precautions: Keep cylinders upright, secure in well-ventilated vehicles, separate from food and incompatible materials
Inventory Status: Listed on US TSCA, EU EINECS, Canada DSL
Right-To-Know: Subject to reporting requirements in US (SARA 313, CERCLA)
OSHA Classification: Hazardous
Transportation Regulations: DOT, IATA, IMDG governed; specific placarding and packaging rules
Other Regulations: Controlled under chemical precursor laws in several countries due to misuse risks, always check current local and national regulations
