Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
N,N,N′,N′,N′′,N′′-Hexamethylmethanetriamine | |
Other names
N,N,N,N,N,N-hexamethylmethanetriamine
[bis(dimethylamino)methyl]dimethylamine | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.024.804 |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C7H19N3 | |
Molar mass | 145.250 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Tris(dimethylamino)methane (TDAM) is the simplest representative of the tris(dialkylamino)methanes of the general formula (R2N)3CH in which three of the four of methane's hydrogen atoms are replaced by dimethylamino groups (−N(CH3)2).[1] Tris(dimethylamino)methane can be regarded as both an amine and an orthoamide.
Tris(dimethylamino)methane is a strong base and can be used as a formylation agent, as aminomethylenation reagent and as a source for the basic bis(dimethylamino)carbene of the formula (R2N)2C:.[2]
Tris(dimethylamino)methane is formed in the reaction of N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylformamidinium chloride (TMF-Cl)[1][3][4] or bis(dimethylamino)acetonitrile[5] with lithium dimethylamide or sodium dimethylamide with yields between 55 and 84%.[2]
From dimethylamine and trimethoxyborane sodium dimethylamide is formed in situ in the presence of sodium hydride which reacts with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylformamidinium chloride in 84% yield to tris(dimethylamino)methane and with bis(dimethylamino)acetonitrile in 77% yield.[6]
The reaction of the dimethylformamide (DMF) dimethylacetal, HC(OCH3)2N(CH3)2, (from the DMF–dimethyl sulfate complex and sodium methoxide[7]) with dimethylamine in the presence of the acidic catalyst 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol (which is largely stable to the alkylating agent) produces tris(dimethylamino)methane.[8]
Tris(dimethylamino)methane is formed in good yield (83%) in the reaction of DMF with tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium(IV).[9]
N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″-Hexamethylguanidinium chloride (readily obtainable by dimethylamine and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylchloroformamidinium chloride derived from tetramethylurea and phosgene[10]) forms tris(dimethylamino)methane in 53% yield under the exposure of the reducing agent sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminium hydride (Red-Al).[11]
Sodium hydride and trimethyl borate reduce N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″-hexamethylguanidinium chloride in 80% yield to tris(dimethylamino)methane.[6]
Tris(dimethylamino)methane is a clear, colorless or pale yellow liquid with a strong ammoniacal odor. The compound is freely miscible with many non-polar aprotic and water-free solvents. However, when heated tris(dimethylamino)methane reacts with protic solvents (such as water or alcohols) but also with weak CH-acidic substances, such as acetone or acetonitrile.[2]
Upon heating to 150–190 °C decomposition occurs with the formation of tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethene,[12] a strong electron donor.[13]
Tris(dimethylamino)methane dissociates into N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylformamidinium cations and dimethylamide anions, which abstract protons from CH- and NH-acidic compounds. The anions thus formed add to the formamidinium cations which in turn eliminate dimethylamine and react to form dimethylaminomethylene compounds (= CH−N(CH3)2) or amidines by aminomethyleneation.[1]
Reaction to form a methyl α-cyano-β-dimethylaminoacrylate:
Reaction to form N,N-dimethyl-N′-p-nitrophenylformamidine:
Aminomethylenation provides intermediates for the synthesis of heterocycles such as pyrimidines, pyrazoles, 1,4-dihydropyridines and indoles.
N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylselenourea is accessible by the extended heating of tris(dimethylamino)methane with selenium in xylene, bis(dimethylamino)carbene is suggested as an intermediate.[14]