Dimethylamine Aqueous Solution: Concentration and Buyer Guide

An order for “10 tonnes of dimethylamine” leaves an important question unanswered: does that mean 10 tonnes of solution, or 10 tonnes of contained dimethylamine?

For buyers of dimethylamine aqueous solution, that distinction affects purchasing quantities, process water and delivery planning. A percentage on the quotation is doing more work than it first appears.

Start with the correct supply form

Dimethylamine, commonly abbreviated as DMA, is a chemical intermediate. Commercial supply forms include aqueous solutions and anhydrous liquefied DMA. Manufacturer literature identifies 40% and 60% aqueous grades, but the specification for an actual purchase must come from the selected supplier and agreed product grade.[1]

These forms should be identified separately in the inquiry. A request for aqueous DMA should state the required concentration and whether the percentage is expressed by mass.

Aqueous dimethylamine is also different from C12–14 alkyldimethylamine, a fatty tertiary-amine intermediate. Similar abbreviations can make an email look shorter while making a purchase order considerably less clear.

Calculate contained DMA before comparing quantities

When concentration is expressed as a mass percentage:

Contained DMA mass = solution mass × DMA mass fraction

The following examples use exact nominal concentrations for illustration:

These calculations do not establish a shipment’s actual assay. For batch accounting, use the agreed calculation basis and the relevant measured concentration.

A quotation per tonne of solution should therefore be distinguished from a quotation calculated on a 100% DMA equivalent basis. Otherwise, two apparently comparable prices may describe different quantities of the chemical being purchased.

Let the process determine the concentration

A higher concentration provides more contained DMA per kilogram of solution. It does not automatically make that grade the better choice for every plant.

Consider a derivative manufacturer whose process already includes a defined water balance. Changing the incoming DMA concentration changes how much water arrives with the feedstock. The process team should evaluate that change before procurement treats the grades as interchangeable.

DMA is used as a building block in the manufacture of products serving sectors such as agrochemicals, rubber chemicals and water treatment. The resulting derivative is a separate product; those applications do not establish that aqueous DMA itself is a finished formulation ingredient.[1]

Compare specifications and test methods

Ask for the proposed product specification before approving an order. Useful review points include:

• DMA concentration and its acceptance range;

• relevant impurity limits for the intended process;

• test methods and reporting units;

• required batch COA results;

• product identity and SDS revision.

Manufacturer specifications can list ammonia, other methylamines and methanol separately from DMA assay.[2] Their limits belong to that manufacturer’s grade and should not be adopted as China Amines specifications without an agreed product document.

Match delivery planning to the actual grade

Confirm the solution quantity, destination, receiving capability and proposed transport arrangement together. If tank capacity is stated in litres, use density information appropriate to the concentration and temperature when converting between volume and mass.

Aqueous DMA requires a chemical-specific handling review. Water content does not remove the need to consult the current SDS, assess the receiving installation and confirm applicable transport requirements.

Prepare a clear inquiry for China Amines

When contacting China Amines Co., Limited, include the required DMA concentration, net solution quantity, intended industrial process, destination port and preferred delivery window.

Also state whether the quotation should be expressed per tonne of solution or per tonne of contained DMA. Request the proposed specification, SDS and COA format so purchasing, quality and operations can review the same product description.

Inquiries: info@chinaamines.com
Website: https://www.chinaamines.com/

Technical references

[1] Eastman — Dimethylamine 40% Aqueous Solution:
https://www.eastman.com/en/products/product-detail/71104064/dimethylamine-40-aqueous-solution-dma-40-eu

[2] Eastman — Dimethylamine 60% Aqueous Solution Sales Specifications:
https://www.eastman.com/supplemental/salespecs/71104065.pdf