3-Propylamine shows up in many chemical applications and industries. This compound, with molecular formula C3H9N, belongs to the class of primary amines. You find it as a liquid. The chemical structure presents a propyl group attached to an amino group, giving it both distinctive reactivity and a pungent odor that’s hard to miss in the lab. The CAS number for reference stands as 107-10-8 and the internationally recognized HS Code for import/export falls under 2921.19, which covers amines and their derivatives. With molecular weight at 59.11 g/mol and density around 0.74 g/cm³ at 20°C, 3-propylamine handles somewhat differently compared to shorter-chain relatives like ethylamine or methylamine.
Clear, colorless, and with an ammonia-like smell, this liquid attracts attention quickly—partly from the fumes, partly the reactivity. The boiling point clocks in at about 67°C, making it fairly volatile. It blends readily with water, alcohols, and most common organic solvents thanks to its polar amine group. Flash point hangs low near 1°C, so open flames or electrical sparks spell trouble. Even on a warm day, vapors might build up and demand careful ventilation. Its basicity scores high on the amines scale so it reacts briskly with acids yielding salts and can attack certain plastics over time.
3-Propylamine doesn’t show up as flakes or pearls. It arrives as a dense liquid, though in rarer cases, it can crystallize under low temperatures. Stored in sealed drums and smaller HDPE containers, it stays stable only with dry, cool storage. Liquid forms dominate commercial supply—but in special applications or as a reaction intermediate, it can pop up in aqueous solutions with defined concentrations by volume or liter. The solution’s clear appearance helps spot any sign of contamination fast, as trace oxidants quickly yellow the liquid.
Safety can’t go overlooked around 3-propylamine. The vapors irritate eyes, nose, and throat. Liquid on bare skin burns fast and the strong odor acts as a warning sign. Inhalation at higher concentrations leads to headaches, nausea, and over time can damage respiratory linings. The chemical meets several hazardous transport classifications—flammable, toxic by inhalation, dangerous for the water environment—so storage needs strong ventilation, spark-proof equipment, and tight controls on access. Safety goggles, gloves, and good respiratory protection become non-negotiable for direct handling. Separate storage from acids, oxidizers, and chlorine-containing compounds ensures no accidental reactions take place in the warehouse.
Manufacturers put 3-propylamine to use in many ways, mostly as a chemical intermediate. Pharmaceutical firms create specialty drugs using it as a building block, while agricultural companies turn out fungicides, herbicides, and crop boosters that use the amine group’s reactivity. Certain dyes and rubber compounds rely on this compound for chain extension or modification. Industrial synthesis settings often value how quickly it reacts and how predictably it behaves in solution. That high purity, quick mixing and solid handling controls matter most when each batch makes direct contact with production lines preparing more finished goods or medical precursors.
The molecular structure puts a three-carbon propyl chain on one end and a primary amine group at the other, so the molecule bends easily and fits into larger synthesis pathways. As a nucleophile, the nitrogen atom latches onto acids, alkyl halides, and other electrophiles, allowing for a wide range of downstream chemical reactions. In practical terms, that means you get functionalization on the nitrogen or elsewhere on the carbon chain efficiently—no wasted reagent. Most lab workers notice that pure 3-propylamine runs clear, and if water or dissolved oxygen seeps in, yellowing and odorous byproducts multiply. The compound's approachable boiling point and solubility force ventilation and robust temperature control.
