Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate (DMAEMA) carries an origin story shaped by the evolution of acrylic chemistry, born from a hunt for materials that stretch further than the limits of glass or rubber. In the mid-twentieth century, researchers wanted resilient monomers that could build flexible polymers for coatings, adhesives, and water treatment. DMAEMA first fired interest because it balances methacrylate backbone reactivity with an amine group granting unique post-polymerization chemistry. Its features quickly made it a staple among monomers in both industrial and academic research labs. Over the decades, new processing techniques and a better understanding of polymer behavior brought DMAEMA forward, helping open doors to better paints, dental materials, and advanced electronics.
Best described as a clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid, DMAEMA gives off a fishy, sweet odor many in the lab know well. Companies bottle and ship it under several names including 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and DMAEM. Its formula, C8H15NO2, packs both a methacrylate group for radical polymerization and a tertiary amine that interacts with acids, catalysts, or crosslinkers. Producers sell DMAEMA often as a pure monomer, though stabilizers sometimes show up in the formulation to guard against premature polymerization, especially during shipment. Its impressive versatility attracts end-users in resin formulation, coatings, biomedical polymers, and water treatment, where its reactivity brings big advantages over old-fashioned acrylates.
DMAEMA registers with a molecular weight of 157.21 g/mol, and comes with a boiling point in the 163-165°C range at 20 mmHg, showing pretty moderate volatility. Its density hovers around 0.89 g/cm³. The tertiary amine group means it acts as a weak base with decent solubility in water and most organic solvents. With a refractive index of approximately 1.433 and a viscosity that makes it easy to handle at room temperature, DMAEMA fits smoothly into most manufacturing lines. That amine group on the side chain opens up possibilities for ion exchange and binding with acids, which engineers use to custom-build specialty polymers or pH-responsive materials. Its flash point sits near 68°C, and handling should always take into account its flammable nature and moderate reactivity to air and light.
Up on the label, DMAEMA typically lands with a purity above 98%, with inhibitors like MEHQ added at about 100-150 ppm to stop spontaneous polymerization. Many suppliers display batch-to-batch consistency for acid value (often less than 0.1%), moisture below 0.05%, and low levels of impurities such as methyl methacrylate or dimethylaminoethanol. Safety labeling always carries GHS warnings about flammability, serious eye and skin irritation, and potential danger if inhaled. International shipping sticks closely to UN 2810 Dangerous Goods classification, so that transport and storage happen under tight precautions.
Manufacturers produce DMAEMA by reacting methyl methacrylate with dimethylaminoethanol in the presence of acid catalysts. This involves transesterification, where careful control over reaction temperature and pressure keeps the process efficient and limits byproducts. After reaction, vacuum distillation rinses out excess reagents and purifies the product. Modern operations use continuous distillation columns and real-time monitors to keep the process running safely. The need for inhibitor additions becomes clear when you realize how soon a runaway polymerization episode can spoil tons of material and even risk plant safety.
Chemists love DMAEMA because its methacrylate group jumps right into radical polymerizations, working alone or copolymerizing with styrene, acrylates, or other methacrylates. The unique part is the side chain amine—this gives a handle for salt formation with acids or cross-linking using diisocyanates or epoxides. Researchers exploit this for pH-sensitive gels or ion-exchange membranes. You can even quaternize the amine with alkyl halides to create cationic polymers, crucial for water clarification or as flocculants. Its structure lets it pick up a variety of functional groups, often enabling tailored charge density or solubility, something few other methacrylates can match.
Across the map of chemical catalogs, DMAEMA pops up as DMAEM, 2-Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, or Methacrylic acid, 2-dimethylaminoethyl ester. Other industry designations include DMEA methacrylate or Methacrylic acid dimethylaminoethyl ester. Different regions in Europe or North America sometimes register it under alternate trade names, but the chemical fingerprint remains unchanged.
DMAEMA isn’t something to leave open on a bench. Gloves, tight goggles, and chemical-resistant aprons are minimum PPE during handling. The vapor can trigger coughing, headaches, or skin sensitization—for workers in production, fresh air and working hoods stay mandatory. OSHA and European REACH classify this monomer as hazardous, prompting regular monitoring, tight container seals, and safe waste disposal. Ammonium sulfate sprays or sand should always be on hand in case a spill hits the floor. Workers get annual safety training, and facilities must stick to strict protocols on storage away from heat, sparks, or acids.
Industrial paints and adhesives providers value DMAEMA for lending toughness, rapid setting, and adjustable hydrophilicity to their formulas. Water treatment plants rely on cationic coagulants derived from DMAEMA for pulling out suspended solids in wastewater. In the medical world, DMAEMA-based hydrogels serve as next-generation contact lenses and dental materials, where both comfort and biocompatibility matter. Polymeric flocculants, pH-sensitive membranes, and tailor-made resins for inkjet printing represent just a few market slices that keep growing. Formulators tweak ratios to get everything from anti-static coatings for electronics to molecular imprinting polymers capturing drugs or toxins in analytical labs.
DMAEMA shows up in the patents and lab notebooks of people searching for stimuli-responsive materials, especially as more industries chase smart packaging, drug delivery, and customized filtration. Researchers in polymer science keep looking at new ways to increase efficiency in radical polymerization, reduce byproduct generation, and improve handling safety. Combinatorial approaches blend DMAEMA with other monomers for block copolymers that react to temperature or pH triggers. In university labs, experiments dig into copolymer networks for tissue engineering scaffolds or gene delivery vectors. The versatility DMAEMA brings means research keeps adapting it for more sustainable processes and end-uses, especially in controlled-release agriculture or next-gen membranes for filtration.
Regulatory reviews show DMAEMA can provoke irritation to eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. Acute exposure to vapor or liquid sometimes causes allergic skin responses. Animal studies found moderate toxicity at higher doses, mainly from mouth or skin exposure. Cellular assays looked into potential mutagenicity, and so far data hasn’t linked DMAEMA to cancer, yet strict exposure limits remain in place to tackle chronic risk. Product stewardship keeps running new toxicology screens, especially as more DMAEMA-derived polymers end up in touch with skin or food products. Labs monitor wastewater from polymerization lines, and air filtration systems in production facilities must meet updated guidelines to prevent workplace illness.
Scientists and formulators don’t plan to walk away from DMAEMA anytime soon. They see its unique chemical set pushing new boundaries in fields like responsive drug carriers that release medicine by environmental cues. Advanced water purification targets contamination down to the molecular level, something the amine functionality of DMAEMA delivers better than most acrylates. The push for greener chemistry means more work refining synthesis for less waste and better catalyst recovery. As electronics and medical diagnostics need even smarter, adaptable, and biocompatible materials, DMAEMA’s structure keeps it in play. Success will depend on safer industrial practices, better end-of-life management, and new insight from toxicology research. Those priorities will guide how future generations work with and expand the uses for DMAEMA in a world asking for more performance and less environmental trade-off.
Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, or DMAEMA, isn’t a name you’ll hear outside industrial or scientific circles, but its impact seeps into daily life in subtle ways. Think about those clear, tough coatings on furniture or the dental fillings that don’t budge. Chances are, DMAEMA played a key role. This compound helps shape materials that must balance flexibility, durability, and adhesion. That combination lets manufacturers solve problems that would otherwise limit product lifespan or raise health concerns.
DMAEMA often shows up in coatings. I’ve seen it used when I toured a local factory producing anti-corrosion layers for metal beams. The workers explained how DMAEMA gives acrylic resins a boost, making them easier to apply smoothly and helping them cure quickly. Once set, the coatings resist water much better. Without this component, flaking and rust would creep in, leading to costly repairs and downtime on construction projects or in outdoor machinery. Factories rely on DMAEMA to cut maintenance costs and reduce waste.
At my kitchen table growing up, superglue fixed countless broken toys. The stickiness comes from clever chemistry. DMAEMA serves as a component in adhesives that need to set fast and hold tight. Medical teams use adhesives containing this ingredient for wound closure; dentists choose formulations with DMAEMA to secure fillings and crowns. The American Dental Association points to better bonding and fewer allergic reactions compared to some older compounds. This means fewer return visits, less discomfort, and more trust in dental work.
Take water treatment as an example. In cities, DMAEMA links up with other chemicals to form polymers that pull dirt and harmful particles from tap water. I spoke to a local water engineer last year who told me this process curbs dangerous bacteria and heavy metals much more efficiently than old-school settling tanks. In the textile sector, DMAEMA pops up in specialty fibers. These fibers repel stains and bacteria, offering safer hospital uniforms and fresher athletic wear. Better hygiene and lower replacement rates benefit everyone from hospital staff to weekend joggers.
Tinkering with chemicals invites questions about safety. DMAEMA carries some risk; it irritates eyes and skin, and inhaling fumes during industrial use can be hazardous. The European Chemicals Agency requires extensive safety data and clear labeling. Factories working with DMAEMA train staff on handling, use closed systems, and install solid ventilation. Precautions work, but ongoing research could make DMAEMA safer and more sustainable. Some labs explore plant-based alternatives or bio-processes that offer similar performance with less environmental hazard.
From dental clinics to municipal water plants, DMAEMA holds its ground as a behind-the-scenes problem solver. Tougher coatings last longer, adhesives fix what matters, fibers stay cleaner, and public health improves. That broad utility stems from understanding chemistry and putting safety at the center. Industry experts, regulators, and researchers owe it to the public to stay alert, keep risks in check, and keep searching for improvements that build on what works—including, and possibly beyond, DMAEMA.
DMAEMA, or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, crops up a lot in the world of polymers, adhesives, and even contact lenses. The stuff doesn’t just quietly sit in a drum; it acts up if people ignore the rules around storage and handling. Knowing what goes wrong and how to handle it isn’t just textbook chatter. Those who work with it quickly realize this lesson: cut corners, and something unpleasant usually follows.
DMAEMA doesn’t love the sun or warmth. If it gets too hot, the liquid wants to react, sometimes leading to runaway polymerization—basically, a chemical chain reaction that’s tough to control and easy to regret. Storing this material in a cool, dry place, away from any heat sources, matters a lot more than people might assume at first. A temperature range around 2°C to 8°C works well. And keeping containers sealed tightly stops moisture—and especially oxygen—from sneaking in and kicking off unwanted reactions.
Oxygen and DMAEMA mix poorly. If air gets into the storage container, you risk starting a polymerization process. Buying drums with nitrogen blanketing helps—adding a layer of inert gas above the liquid. That trick keeps oxygen out and the monomer stable. Anyone who’s opened a neglected drum knows there’s real risk in ignoring this.
Contaminants change everything. Water, acids, peroxides, or stray metal ions all nudge DMAEMA to start reacting prematurely. Years back, I saw a careless transfer lead to small leaks and spills, causing a sticky mess in storage. It wasn’t just the cleanup—those residues meant people risked breathing in dangerous fumes and, if it hit the skin, even chemical burns. Wearing gloves, goggles, and working inside a good fume hood isn’t just a nod to safety; it’s basic self-preservation.
Spills need a direct, quick response. Neutralizing DMAEMA runs best with clay or sand instead of rags or sawdust, which just soak up the chemical and make disposal harder. Waste containers should seal tightly to avoid VOCs leaking out and sickening workers. Each accident offers a reminder: prevention saves more than the clean-up crew’s time.
Everything stays safer when every container carries honest labels with the product’s name, risks, and the date opened. Regular walk-throughs of the storage area make a difference, too. Saying “I just checked last month” doesn’t cut it if a leak appears. Routine matters—just like checking the oil in a car before a long drive.
Teaching teams about the hazards should go beyond a one-time lecture. Ongoing safety talks and hands-on training carve these habits into routines. Some operations add automatic sensors for temperature and gas levels, getting an alert if a storage drum starts to overheat or leak fumes. Spending a bit more upfront for equipment or training often prevents those headline-making accidents. Responsible handling isn’t about ticking off a checklist. It comes down to looking out for colleagues and keeping the business running with fewer mistakes and emergencies.
Stepping into a lab or factory using DMAEMA—Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate—brings real risks that call for respect and preparation. This colorless liquid pops up in adhesives, coatings, and polymer industries. The trouble with DMAEMA isn’t just that it’s a skin and eye irritant. It’s got an odor that reminds some of ammonia. At low concentrations, that’s a warning, nudging you to take cover before health takes a hit.
Inhaling or touching DMAEMA can lead to breathing issues, redness, and burns to the skin or eyes. People sometimes think gloves and goggles will keep all hazards at bay, but with DMAEMA, spills and splashes make short work of weak gear. I’ve seen workers develop burning sensations just from accidental contact, so you can’t take short cuts. The real risk comes from not knowing how quickly it absorbs—straight through the skin, pulling toxic effects into the bloodstream.
Regular exposure builds trouble over time. Studies show workers can develop dermatitis or aggravated respiratory problems. Prolonged inhalation can damage the respiratory tract and has even been suspected in affecting liver or kidney function. Chronic effects sneak up, especially in workplaces with poor ventilation, proving that even small exposures add up. Looking at the Material Safety Data Sheet drives this home—DMAEMA isn’t just a minor annoyance.
DMAEMA flashes at about 54°C. Static electricity or sparks will set it off. I once spoke with a safety manager whose crew had to evacuate after a small spill ignited. The fire spread fast, putting everyone on edge for weeks. It doesn’t take much—a hot light, a friction point, or mixing up incompatible chemicals. Waste matters just as much; DMAEMA spills hurt local waterways and can poison aquatic life if not captured and neutralized.
Strong ventilation systems help prevent overexposure. Local exhaust fans and well-fitted respirators protect lungs, especially during pouring or mixing. Wearing heavy-duty nitrile gloves, goggles, and long sleeves creates a solid barrier, as regular latex gloves often give way. Emergency eyewash stations and showers must be easy to reach. Training drills help people react without freezing up, because the worst accidents often happen during confusion.
I’ve worked with chemical engineers who believe in a safety culture, not just safety rules. They encourage reporting spills right away—not hiding mistakes—and everyone knows where the spill kits live. Regular checks of containers and pipes catch cracks and leaks early. Clear labeling, strong storage cabinets, and real-time monitoring have saved more than a few workers from harm.
Stricter controls don’t just protect people—they also shield businesses from lawsuits and bad press. Setting exposure limits and staying compliant with OSHA or Europe’s REACH makes practical sense. Fostering transparency in incident reporting and employee involvement keeps everyone invested in health and safety, not just compliance. DMAEMA keeps industry moving, but managing its risks means trusting experience, teamwork, and constant vigilance.
DMAEMA stands for 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. The mouthful name hides a pretty straightforward chemical structure. Imagine a methacrylate backbone – a common sight in plastics – but in this case, there’s an extra arm: a dimethylamino group. You’ll see two methyl groups attached to a nitrogen, which sticks out from an ethyl chain connected to the main body. This simple layout gives DMAEMA both a hydrophobic and hydrophilic character. One side attracts water, the other pushes it away. That’s a big deal if you want to make things mix that don’t usually play well together.
DMAEMA doesn’t just sit on the shelf. The methacrylate group lets it jump into polymerization reactions. This is what helps scientists and engineers build custom plastics for very specific jobs. The dimethylamino side holds a basic nitrogen, which can grab onto protons. That opens the door to all kinds of chemical tweaking: you can make the molecule behave differently in acid or base environments, and you can hang extra branches off that nitrogen if needed.
Because of the structure, DMAEMA-based polymers can switch their water solubility just by adjusting pH. If you want a smart delivery system for drugs, or a gel that changes feel based on skin chemistry, you want that flexibility. This tuning feature also finds use in adhesives and coatings, where sticking and peeling can be dictated by subtle changes in the surroundings.
On my own bench, working with DMAEMA meant constantly checking pH. Even small shifts made the difference between a clear solution and a lumpy mess. That sensitivity can frustrate, but it’s exactly what makes the molecule special for precision work.
DMAEMA brings potential if handled with care. The amine group gives off a strong, fishy odor. It stings the nose—without goggles, those vapors make for an unpleasant lab day. Inhaling or absorbing the compound poses risks. Studies point out possible skin and eye irritation, and longtime exposure raises longer-term questions. Safety data sheets emphasize ventilation and personal protective gear. This isn’t just lab lore: countless chemical technicians report that mistakes with DMAEMA lead to burning skin and irritation, not to mention ruined experiments.
DMAEMA shows up in places people don’t expect. Water treatment plants take advantage of its ability to change charge and help remove contaminants. Dental adhesives use it for durable, long-lasting bonds that don’t break down easily under mechanical stress. Medical researchers experiment with DMAEMA-modified polymers for drug delivery systems that respond intelligently to the body’s chemistry.
At the end of the day, what fascinates both scientists and industry leaders about DMAEMA comes down to its dual nature. It balances chemical reactivity and structural versatility, making it a valuable tool in a chemist’s toolkit. For researchers, it means endless methods to try; for consumers, it often leads to products with better performance and tighter safety profiles. Solutions to handling DMAEMA more safely continue to grow: improved ventilation, better gloves, and smarter process design all help people get the benefit without unnecessary risk.
DMAEMA stands for dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. It’s a chemical that gets plenty of attention in labs and factories, often found in acrylic resins or polymers. Researchers and manufacturers like DMAEMA for its flexibility—it brings useful properties to plastics, coatings, adhesives, and more. In the world of materials, it’s valued for its ability to tweak and enhance the performance of everyday products, from pressure-sensitive tapes to dental bonding agents.
The real question comes down to safety, especially in environments where DMAEMA could touch food or people’s bodies. Anyone familiar with chemical production knows that regulations don’t leave much room for error when it comes to what goes into medical devices or food packaging. Here, government bodies like the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority have strict rules about what materials can come in direct contact with food or medical equipment.
DMAEMA has a reputation for being reactive and is best handled with gloves and ventilation. According to the European Chemicals Agency, DMAEMA can irritate the skin and eyes. Long-term exposure raises even more red flags: it has the potential to harm organs if inhaled in sufficient quantities. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for DMAEMA reinforces that, flagging short- and long-term health risks, especially with repeated contact.
Food and medical industries rely on polymers and resins that undergo heavy testing for toxicity, migration, and chemical stability. DMAEMA hasn’t cleared many of these hurdles. To date, the FDA hasn’t approved DMAEMA for direct contact with food. In the medical device realm, DMAEMA plays a role in research—especially in dental adhesives and antimicrobial coatings—but always as a minor ingredient, and only when it’s locked into a polymer matrix. The base chemical itself doesn’t belong near unwrapped food or exposed tissue. Experts in toxicology usually steer clear, citing not only irritation risks but also the lack of robust studies on how it behaves inside the human body.
A 2022 scientific review in Chemosphere dug into methacrylate chemicals like DMAEMA and found little evidence to support safe use in food contexts. Where research did exist, it pointed to cytotoxic and allergic potential. For most food-grade applications, regulators look for materials that don’t leach under heat, pressure, or acidic conditions. DMAEMA doesn’t meet that threshold.
In factories and labs, people want materials they can trust. Polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET have well-documented safety records and reams of regulatory approval for food and medical use. They show up everywhere—from water bottles to syringes—because their chemical properties and production methods have been vetted through decades of research. DMAEMA, by comparison, stays on the sidelines. The risk of chemical migration, especially in the presence of acids, means its use gets limited to specialty applications where human contact isn’t likely.
If a company really wants antimicrobial or adhesive properties that DMAEMA can provide, the smart move is to use alternative building blocks or only incorporate DMAEMA deep in a polymer chain, ensuring it never migrates to the surface. Even then, rigorous migration and cytotoxicity testing become necessary.
Public health and consumer safety demand high standards. DMAEMA has its uses, just not in direct food contact or invasive medical products. For companies looking to innovate, exploring safer monomers or developing new cross-linking chemistries offers a better bet. When it comes to human health, proven materials always win out over untested shortcuts. Until DMAEMA has stronger data and real-world validation, it stays away from the dinner table and the doctor’s office.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate |
| Other names |
2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate DMAEMA Methacrylic acid 2-dimethylaminoethyl ester 2-Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˌmɛθ.əl.əˌmiː.noʊˈiː.θəl mɛθˈæk.rɪ.leɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 105-16-8 |
| Beilstein Reference | 635118 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:53097 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1697845 |
| ChemSpider | 8319 |
| DrugBank | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03e7d7d2-40ed-43c2-b5c5-25c4c8eab098 |
| EC Number | 205-297-1 |
| Gmelin Reference | 82737 |
| KEGG | C14225 |
| MeSH | C008525 |
| PubChem CID | 8651 |
| RTECS number | OI8575000 |
| UNII | UEV9A1RL3D |
| UN number | UN2522 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID0023072 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C8H15NO2 |
| Molar mass | 157.22 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid |
| Odor | Amine-like |
| Density | 0.89 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| log P | 1.32 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.42 hPa (20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 8.4 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 5.2 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.52×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4300 |
| Viscosity | 0.8 mPa·s (25℃) |
| Dipole moment | 4.24 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 263.5 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -389.7 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4185 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS05, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS05,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H225, H302, H312, H314, H332 |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P271, P273, P280, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P333+P313, P337+P313, P362+P364, P363, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 3-2-2-W |
| Flash point | 52°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 215 °C |
| Explosive limits | 2.1%~11.5% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 925 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | 730 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | NIOSH: ON2990000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: 10 ppm (parts per million) |
| REL (Recommended) | 5 mg/m³ |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 100 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Methacrylic Acid (MAA) 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA) Ethyl Methacrylate Dimethylaminoethyl Acrylate (DMAEA) Butyl Methacrylate Triethylamine Diethylaminoethyl Methacrylate (DEAEMA) |
