Chemical Description

Tert-butylamine, 2,6-diisopropylaniline, 2,4,6-trimethylaniline, 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylaniline, and isopropylamine are amines used as solvents.

Production Methods

tert-Butylamine is manufactured by reacting isobutylamine with sulfuric acid followed by cyanide to tert-butylformamide. Hydrolysis yields t-butylamine. It is used as a solvent and in organic syntheses.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. May be sensitive to air . Soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

tert-Butylamine neutralizes acids in exothermic reactions to form salts plus water. May be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides. Undergoes highly exothermic reaction with 2,2-dibromo-1,3-dimethylcyclopropanoic acid [J. Chem. Soc., 1, 1979, 2324].

Health Hazard

Inhalation causes irritation of nose, mouth, and lungs. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. Contact with liquid causes severe irritation of eyes and moderate irritation of skin.

Chemical Reactivity

Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: Liquid will attack some plastics; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Flush with water; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion. Moderately toxic to humans by inhalation. A corrosive liquid. See also n-BUTYLAMINE and AMINES. Very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Very exothermic reaction with 2,2-dibromo-l,3 dimethylcyclopropanoic acid. To fight fire, use alcohol foam. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.

Purification Methods

Dry it with KOH or LiAlH4, and/or distil it from CaH2 or BaO. [Beilstein 4 IV 657.]

Definition

ChEBI: Tert-butylamine is a primary aliphatic amine that is ethylamine substituted by two methyl groups at position 1. It is a conjugate base of a tert-butylammonium.

General Description

Tert-butylamine appears as a clear colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Flash point 70°F. Less dense (at 6.2 lb / gal) than water. Vapors heavier than air. Toxic oxides of nitrogen produced during combustion.