Need N-Dimethylbenzylamine (N) 99% Purity, Fast Delivery?
Deep-Dive: N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine for Catalysis and Advanced Formulations
If you work in polyurethane or epoxy, you’ve heard the chatter: demand is tilting toward cleaner, more selective tertiary amine catalysts. And honestly, N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine (often shortened to DMBA) keeps popping up in buyer shortlists. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable—an accelerator that does the job with fewer surprises in production, which is what plant managers actually want.
Where the market is heading
Regulations are tightening (REACH, GHS updates), and buyers want catalysts that hit cure speed targets without spiking emissions or color. In fact, many customers say N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine gives a consistent kick in rigid PU foams and epoxy systems while keeping process control predictable. Not glamorous—just dependable. That’s valuable.
Technical snapshot
| Chemical name | N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA) |
| CAS | 103-83-3 |
| Formula / MW | C9H13N / ≈135.21 g·mol⁻¹ |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid (real-world may vary) |
| Purity (GC) | ≥99.0% |
| Water (KF) | ≤0.20% |
| Boiling point | ≈183–185°C |
| Flash point | ≈69–76°C (closed cup) |
| Density (20°C) | ≈0.89 g/cm³ |
Test methods: Purity by GC (ISO/IEC 17025 lab), water by Karl Fischer (ASTM E203), color by APHA (ASTM D1209), amine value by titration (ASTM D2073). Storage: sealed, away from light/heat. Service life: around 12–24 months unopened.
Applications and advantages
- Polyurethane: catalyst for isocyanate reactions in rigid foams, PIR boards, sandwich panels.
- Epoxy systems: accelerator with anhydrides or amines; faster cure at moderate temperatures.
- Quaternization feedstock: intermediate to produce benzyl quats and phase-transfer catalysts.
- Fine chemicals: useful building block for corrosion inhibitor and surfactant intermediates.
Why it’s picked: selectivity, reasonable vapor pressure (safer handling vs very volatile amines), and consistent pot life. Several buyers mention reduced foaming defects and tighter cure windows after switching to N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine.
Process flow and QA
Typical manufacturing routes include:
- Alkylation: benzyl chloride + dimethylamine → DMBA; neutralization and fractional distillation.
- Reductive amination: benzaldehyde + dimethylamine → imine; catalytic hydrogenation → DMBA.
QC checkpoints: GC area% ≥99.0; water ≤0.20% (KF); color ≤30 APHA; residual benzyl chloride ≤10 ppm (typical), all under ISO 9001 quality systems. Packaging: 170–180 kg steel drums or 850–900 kg IBCs, nitrogen-blanketed when requested.
Vendor comparison (indicative)
| Vendor | Strengths | REACH/Certs | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sincere Chemicals (Origin: Jinling Mansions No.106-1 East Yuhua Rd., Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China) | Tight GC specs, custom inhibitors, flexible packs | ISO 9001; REACH-ready (ask for status) | ≈2–4 weeks ex-works |
| Vendor A (Trading) | Aggressive pricing | Basic CoA; limited dossiers | ≈4–6 weeks |
| Vendor B (Multinational) | Global logistics, robust SDS/REACH | ISO 9001/14001; full regulatory pack | ≈1–3 weeks (regional stock) |
Customization
Options include tighter moisture specs (≤0.10%), nitrogen blanket, drum liners, and additive packages tuned for N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine performance in PIR vs epoxy systems. Real-world use may vary, so lab-screening is a must.
Case study: rigid boardstock foam
A panel producer swapped a mixed tertiary amine package for N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine–forward catalysis. Result: gel time held steady; tack-free cut by ≈15%; compressive strength improved ≈6% at equal density; foam discoloration decreased vs prior catalyst. To be honest, the big win was process stability over a sticky summer run. They reported fewer start-stop waste events.
Safety note: Tertiary amines can be flammable and irritating. Follow SDS, GHS labeling, and local regulations. Ventilation and PPE are non-negotiable.
References
- PubChem. N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine (CAS 103-83-3). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/N-N-Dimethylbenzylamine
- NIST Chemistry WebBook. N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine data (physical properties). https://webbook.nist.gov
- ASTM D1209 — Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (APHA). https://www.astm.org/d1209
- ASTM E203 — Water by Karl Fischer Titration; ISO/IEC 17025 — Testing competence. https://www.astm.org/e0203 and https://www.iso.org/standard/66912.html
Post time: Oct . 20, 2025 15:10
