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An In-depth Look at Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED): From Discovery to Future Science

Historical Development

Chemists have known about Tetramethylethylenediamine for nearly a century. The early push for synthetic polymers and rubber alternatives during the 1930s drove laboratories to explore a range of amine compounds. During this era of intense chemical experimentation, the features of diamines in catalyzing and activating polymerization reactions came to light. TEMED’s role in organic synthesis, especially in facilitating complex reactions at room temperature, stood out quickly. By the 1950s, as research into polyacrylamide gels accelerated, TEMED found its niche because of its ability to speed up radical initiators. Its value only grew with the rise of modern biotechnology, helping scientists resolve proteins by gel electrophoresis and create more reliable results in basic and applied research labs. Modern industry keeps TEMED on the front lines of research, innovation, and standardized production, a testament to decades of collaborative development between chemists, manufacturers, and end-users.

Product Overview

Tetramethylethylenediamine shows up in the world of chemical synthesis as a versatile tool. Its two nitrogen atoms, each linked to two methyl groups, give it unique properties as a ligand and an accelerator of radical reactions. Many know TEMED most for its clear liquid form, slightly fishy odor, and high solubility in water and organic solvents alike. For anyone working in a biochemistry lab, the small bottle of TEMED stored with care signals its routine but crucial use in preparing electrophoresis gels. Chemical companies produce it under stringent controls, using container materials that resist its strong basicity. Lab suppliers take care to label it with hazard warnings, purity levels (typically above 99%) and clear storage advice, recognizing TEMED’s growing reach beyond academia and into industrial and biomedical products.

Physical & Chemical Properties

With a boiling point just over 120°C and a melting point below freezing, TEMED behaves as a mobile liquid under most lab conditions. Its molecular weight of 116.2 g/mol places it firmly in the light amine category, and it delivers a pungent, recognizable scent that signals presence even at low concentrations. The molecule’s basicity draws from the presence of two tertiary amines, and its electron-donating methyl groups boost its nucleophilicity. This makes it effective at complexing transition metal ions—a reason why many synthetic chemists use TEMED as a ligand for copper and nickel-based catalysis. Its vapor pressure compels careful handling, especially in closed spaces. In solution, TEMED’s miscibility with water ensures a predictable behavior for the polymerization of acrylamide gels, while its reactivity means any contamination can destabilize reactive mixtures. No matter the context, these fundamental properties explain why it shows up in so many protocols.

Technical Specifications & Labeling

Sourcing TEMED for lab or industrial use involves attention to details on product labels and material safety data sheets. Purity—most often above 99%—sets the standard for consistent behavior across applications, particularly in analytical or synthesis work. Labels clearly display hazard statements, reminding users of its flammability and toxicity through inhalation or skin contact. Chemical container integrity matters here, given TEMED’s ability to degrade certain plastics and metals if stored incorrectly. The United Nations assigns it the number UN2372 for safe transport, emphasizing the need for well-ventilated storage away from sources of ignition or incompatible chemicals like strong oxidizers and acids. These specifications, which seem tedious on the surface, help prevent lab mishaps and ensure research integrity by reducing unintended contamination or spoilage.

Preparation Method

Industrial synthesis of TEMED typically starts with the methylation of ethylenediamine. Companies feed a stream of dimethyl sulfate or methyl chloride into a reactor containing ethylenediamine and a base. Reaction conditions favor a stepwise methylation, producing tetramethylated product through a controlled, exothermic process. The separation of TEMED from byproducts and unreacted materials relies on careful distillation, leveraging its modest boiling point and volatility. Every step, from reagent handling to final purification, signals the need for skill and strict monitoring to avoid hazardous exposure. In smaller-scale setups, chemists adopt similar approaches, but with extra safeguards to control vapor loss and waste generation. The process shows the close connection between industrial scale, environmental concerns, and laboratory improvisation—each driven by the same chemical logic, with adaptations to context and purpose.

Chemical Reactions & Modifications

TEMED steps into reaction mixtures as a strong electron donor, affecting outcomes in distinct ways. In polymer chemistry, it catalyzes the decomposition of ammonium persulfate, providing a reliable way to produce free radicals for acrylamide and methacrylamide polymerizations. Synthetic chemists often pair TEMED with transition metals, forming stable coordination complexes that drive cross-coupling or cyclization reactions efficiently. Modifying its structure—by swapping methyl groups or extending the ethylene backbone—leads to derivatives that tune its basicity, ligand strength, or steric profile, broadening the menu for custom chemical tools. Certain side reactions, especially with strong oxidants or acids, underscore TEMED’s aggressive chemical behavior. Researchers use this reactivity, while staying alert to unintended byproducts or residual traces that could alter experimental results. Chemical industries and research labs both benefit from this flexibility, integrating knowledge of TEMED’s interactions to sharpen their work.

Synonyms & Product Names

The chemical world rarely deals in a single name. TEMED appears as N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylenediamine in formal catalogs. The abbreviation “TEMED” (or sometimes “TMEDA”) has become so common in research protocols that many lab workers only learn the full name after months at the bench. Other synonyms include Pentamethylenediamine and N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl-1,2-ethanediamine. Suppliers carry it under their own brands as well, but the chemical formula C6H16N2 serves as the linking thread for all. For procurement, referencing synonyms, CAS number 110-18-9, and global regulatory numbers keeps supply chains clear and legal. Familiarity with these names prevents mistakes in sourcing or during customs checks—a practical need for researchers and purchasing departments alike.

Safety & Operational Standards

Experience in academic and industrial settings says you never take short cuts with TEMED safety. Its volatility and strong odor act as warnings but never replace best practices. Gloves, goggles, and lab coats form the first line of defense, followed by working in fume hoods to avoid inhalation. Direct skin contact can bring on irritation, and exposure to vapor over extended periods leads to headaches and nausea. In case of a spill, absorbents and proper ventilation limit exposure, and waste streams need segregation from acids and oxidizers. Fire risk stays real—enhanced by the low flash point—so flammable storage cabinets and sparing inventory stock help cut down risk. Regulatory guidelines from OSHA and similar bodies stress both acute and long-term health effects, requiring regular training for anyone involved in handling, dispensing, or disposal. Laboratory experience teaches that observed caution outpaces regret every time.

Application Area

Ask a molecular biologist what TEMED means, and the answer comes fast: acrylamide gel polymerization. Every Western blot and DNA separation owes some debt to this accelerator. But the reach extends beyond these gels. Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling chemistry in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials industries leans on TEMED ligands for efficient reactions at ambient conditions. Transition metal extractions, analytical sample preparations, and even certain textile processes make use of TEMED’s strong chelating capacity. These applications draw on its core strengths—predictable chemistry, consistent catalysis, and broad compatibility. Real-world results matter, and those arise from years of testing and problem-solving on the bench and in production. For anyone aiming to scale up from lab to plant, TEMED provides a proven shortcut for reaction acceleration or polymer synthesis.

Research & Development

Attempts to advance beyond TEMED’s current limitations provide a window into today’s scientific priorities. Researchers push the boundaries, testing new ligands for transition metal catalysis or greener initiators for more sustainable gel systems. The structure of TEMED, with its modifiable methyl groups, invites innovation in ligand design and reaction control. Collaborative efforts between academia and industry search for analogues with reduced toxicity or improved selectivity. A focus on automation and digital monitoring brings precision to reactions involving TEMED, cutting down human error and promoting reproducibility. Data-sharing through preprints and open-access journals helps others learn quickly from setbacks and breakthroughs. This hunger for improvement keeps TEMED in the crosshairs of chemical innovators, whether by tweaking its manufacturing footprint or modifying its performance for cutting-edge biotechnologies.

Toxicity Research

Toxicologists stringently reviewed TEMED’s effects after anecdotal reports of dizziness, skin burns, and breathing irritation cropped up in labs and production sites. Chronic exposure studies trace disruptions in liver enzymes, with some rodent models showing changes at high repeated doses. Identified as both an irritant and possible sensitizer, TEMED makes the case for sealed handling systems and personal protective gear. Regulatory limits for workplace exposure have grown tighter as medical case studies add insight into long-term effects. Acute toxicity—especially through inhalation or accidental ingestion—drives emergency room visits each year, and science education programs highlight these risks in safety briefings. Despite these concerns, careful engineering controls, routine safety reviews, and clear labeling keep workers and researchers protected. Real gains have come from actual lab mishaps, recorded and circulated to raise awareness, not from theory alone.

Future Prospects

As trends in chemical manufacturing and molecular biology shift toward sustainability and safety, TEMED sits at an inflection point. Calls emerge for greener polymerization catalysts and non-toxic ligands, which place pressure on manufacturers and chemists to tweak production pathways or invent suitable alternatives. Advanced analytics and AI-driven chemistry open up fresh routes for optimizing performance or recycling TEMED-laden waste, easing environmental impact and meeting stricter regulatory hurdles. New research angles explore whether bio-based amines can mimic TEMED’s effectiveness, offering a renewable platform for next-generation catalysis. Academic-industry partnerships, backed by transparent data and lessons pulled from real experiments, will define how TEMED’s profile adapts to modern science and commercial needs. The compound’s decades-long run as a laboratory staple reflects both chemistry’s enduring creativity and society’s sharper gaze on health and the environment.




What is Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) used for?

The Backbone of Polyacrylamide Gel

Walk into any molecular biology lab, and you’ll see bottles labeled TEMED tucked alongside acrylamide and bisacrylamide. TEMED acts like a matchmaker at a busy party, speeding up the conversation between molecules. In practical terms, it drives the formation of polyacrylamide gels — the stuff researchers rely on to separate proteins by size in a process called SDS-PAGE. Without this clear gel slab, tracking down specific proteins in a tangled mixture would be a real headache.

How TEMED Helps in the Lab

TEMED brings together two main ingredients: acrylamide and ammonium persulfate. On its own, persulfate tries to kickstart the reaction to turn acrylamide into a mesh (the gel), but it plods along. Add a splash of TEMED and the pace picks up; the gel sets in minutes, not hours. That quick curing means researchers can load protein samples while the gel’s fresh. If a batch runs slow or the gel refuses to harden, many biologists blame the TEMED, either past its prime or not stored tightly enough.

Uses Beyond the Gel Box

TEMED’s application isn’t limited to biology. Chemical makers rely on it as a catalyst for making certain plastics, resins, and coatings. Paint makers sometimes use it for keeping viscosity in check during production. In water treatment, TEMED helps form gels that trap suspended particles to clarify the final product. The stuff turns up in some surprising spots for a chemical not many folks discuss over breakfast.

Safety: Matters for the Real World

It’s tempting to downplay the hazards of chemicals that rarely leave the bench, but TEMED deserves respect. Its sharp, fishy odor tells you to keep the bottle tightly closed. Over the years, I’ve seen graduate students rub their eyes and learn the hard way that vapors escape from open bottles. It stings, it irritates, and long-term exposure brings risks most don’t want to read about in safety manuals. Gloves and goggles? Non-negotiable. Opening a window or working in a fume hood makes sense.

Supply Chain and Quality Tips

In recent years, supply chain hiccups have hit many common reagents, TEMED included. I remember a time when my lab ran short; experiments stalled, and everyone scrambled for backup. Old or poorly stored TEMED can ruin weeks of work, as even small changes in freshness affect gel polymerization. Always double-check expiration dates and run a small test before pouring a full gel slab. Scrimping on quality ends up wasting time, money, and patience.

How to Make Good Practice the Norm

Getting proper training on how to handle and use TEMED can save hours of trouble. Labs should make sure safety data sheets sit within reach, and everyone gets a quick rundown before taking the first whiff. Stock moves fast, so keeping only what’s needed at room temperature and storing the rest cold makes the supply last longer. Simple labeling and rotation methods—like “first in, first out”—stop surprise gel fails caused by old stock.

Looking Ahead

Researchers continue to look for gel technologies that need less hazardous chemistry. Green approaches to polymerization gain traction, but TEMED keeps its spot for now. Its speed and reliability still tip the scales for most labs, though the push for safer, eco-friendly methods surely grows stronger each year.

How should TEMED be stored?

Real Risks of TEMED Mishandling

Anyone who’s worked in a life sciences lab knows about the strange, fishy odor of TEMED. This compound, N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethylethylenediamine, often shows up during polyacrylamide gel preparation for protein or DNA separation. Some might shrug off its quirks. I learned the hard way that not paying attention to TEMED’s storage can wreck experiments and create serious safety issues.

How TEMED Behaves Over Time

Open a bottle of TEMED and the pungent scent spreads across the room. That’s a red flag about its volatility. Exposure to air or heat can speed up degradation. Over time, light and warmth can change its chemical makeup, even before the expiration date on the label. I always wondered why gels sometimes polymerized unpredictably. I traced it back to bottles left on benchtops for hours, even days. Colleagues had similar troubles—odd gel patterns, weak bands, or unexpected background noise. Most times, these problems linked to TEMED sitting out in the open or stored too close to heat sources.

Scientific Backing: What the Literature Says

Research data backs these everyday experiences. Studies show that TEMED exposed to air and sunlight for extended periods loses activity. The material safety data sheets, compiled by regulatory bodies, recommend storing it tightly closed, out of direct sunlight, and in a cool place. This isn’t busywork for safety officers; labs want reliable results. Faulty storage leads straight to wasted reagents, time, and money.

Best Practices from Experts—and a Few Personal Habits

Every busy lab develops its own rhythm. Still, sticking to the basics keeps everyone safe. I started double-checking the storage location every day. Our fridge has a clear section marked for volatile amines, including TEMED. That cooler temperature slows down evaporation and reduces the risk of vapor buildup. Everyone on the team keeps the container tightly capped—if not, the smell announces the oversight within minutes.

Our protocol also calls for using the smallest bottle possible for daily work. This approach limits product degradation. Replenishing from a bulk container stored in the back keeps the more stable stock out of light and away from frequent handling. Labels list both the opening date and initials. These small steps have cut down on failed gels and odd surprises dramatically.

Cleaning Up After Spills: No Room for Carelessness

Spills can release harsh fumes. Ventilation must work well in the storage area. If a spill happens, the response needs to be quick and thorough. Paper towels soaked with water do a better job trapping volatile vapors before disposal goes into the chemical waste bin. Relying on personal experience, nobody skips gloves and protective eyewear. A short lapse in attention creates lasting odors—or worse, headaches and eye irritation for the entire lab team.

Solutions for Consistent Experiments

Evidence and lived experience both point to refrigeration, darkness, and tight sealing. Add strong labeling and a culture where everyone takes responsibility. Reach out to reputable suppliers—the ones following strict quality measures—to get fresh, uncontaminated chemical stock. If uncertain about product integrity, order a new lot to avoid loss of weeks of work. Sharing these storage habits supports every lab member’s health and the strength of shared data.

What is the role of TEMED in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis?

Why TEMED Really Matters in the Lab

Folks in molecular biology circles know the buzz around running polyacrylamide gels. The goal: teasing apart proteins or nucleic acids by size with a system that just works. Gels need to set quickly and evenly, or your experiment risks going sideways. That’s where TEMED comes into play — a chemical you don’t find in every household, but one you’ll find in every lab that cares about reliable results.

Breaking Down TEMED’s Role

TEMED — short for N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylenediamine — plays a crucial hand in triggering the polymerization that turns acrylamide monomers into that familiar rubbery matrix. On its own, acrylamide solutions just sit there. Tempt fate by adding only ammonium persulfate, and you’ll wait forever. Add TEMED and the difference is night and day. The chemical teams up with the ammonium persulfate, catalyzing free radical formation, and the reaction gets moving. The gel sets within minutes, and you dive into your electrophoresis without drama.

Getting the Mix Just Right

Some assume that a little goes a long way. In reality, too little TEMED means sluggish polymerization and wonky gels. Go heavy-handed, and you might zip past the sweet spot, ending up with a brittle matrix riddled with bubbles and only frustration to show for your efforts. I’ve seen many new students rush through gel prep, skimping on care, and pay for it in lost time and blotched separations. Precision counts — most protocols stick within a narrow range for a reason.

TEMED and Reproducibility

Consistency in science isn’t just a buzzword. When labs cut corners or eyeball measurements, reproducibility suffers. A careful hand with TEMED brings predictability, so every gel behaves like the last. That’s a huge deal whether you’re confirming that CRISPR edit or running diagnostic protein tests. Nobel-worthy discoveries can hinge on these little details.

Straight Talk on Safety

Some chemicals demand respect, and TEMED ranks high on that list. Its pungent smell quickly fills a room, and overexposure isn’t something to shrug off. A decent ventilated workspace and basic lab gloves serve as your first lines of defense. I know seasoned researchers who still flinch at that whiff of TEMED — a good reminder that safety is never an afterthought.

What Happens Without TEMED?

Skip TEMED and you’ll face endless waits — and soft, unusable gels. The reaction limps along without that catalytic kickstart. Your bands blur, your results lose crispness, and the experiment’s value drops. In tight grant cycles or clinical settings, wasted time and wasted reagents don’t just hurt pride — they hurt people.

Possible Alternatives and Future Paths

While TEMED’s reliability keeps it standard in protocols, some researchers explore alternatives for better safety or lower environmental impact. Efforts push for green chemistry or novel initiators, but none have swept away traditional TEMED yet. Researchers would move mountains for safer, friendlier replacements that don’t sacrifice performance. Until then, TEMED stays in nearly every kit, hidden behind the scenes but making the science possible.

Small Steps Toward Better Gels

In the end, getting gels right isn’t rocket science, but it demands focus at every step. Careful handling of TEMED, understanding its place in the process, and keeping safety front and center make better results possible. Behind each clear, sharp band, there’s often a splash of TEMED doing the quiet, vital work.

Is TEMED hazardous or toxic?

Why TEMED Gets Attention in Lab Safety

Stay around molecular biology or polymer chemistry long enough, and you’ll hear about TEMED. Walk through a lab and you’ll catch a whiff of its strong fishy smell, drifting off the bench just as someone mixes up their next acrylamide gel. Plenty of labs rely on TEMED to help start the polymerization process, which might sound pretty technical, but it’s just a way of saying it helps make gel for studying proteins and DNA. Despite its usefulness, TEMED is not something I’d call friendly for careless handling.

Risks You Can’t Shrug Off

Let’s get real about exposure. The strong odor is a warning sign itself. If your nose picks up that much, your lungs may act up too. Even brief encounters with TEMED vapors can leave your nose tingling, or your throat sore. Spend too long around it, and headaches or dizziness arrive fast. Some people get skin rashes or eye irritation from just a splash. And it’s worth noting that even a small spill raises a red flag—TEMED can pass through gloves that aren’t meant for harsh chemicals, so anyone working with it ought to reach for thicker nitrile gloves. Inhaling it brings even bigger risks, and I know colleagues who keep their TEMED bottles far from their face after learning the hard way.

What Science Shows About Toxicity

We hear the term “toxic” thrown around a lot, usually involving something lethal or scary. TEMED sits somewhere in the middle. It isn’t as dramatic as cyanide but can still hurt you badly without much warning. OSHA and NIOSH—those agencies setting safety standards for chemicals—list it as hazardous. Repeated skin contact causes burns. Breathing it in isn’t something your body forgets, and animal studies show damage to lungs and organs after repeated exposure. Right on its Safety Data Sheet, manufacturers mention possible harm to the nervous system if you’re careless long enough. There’s also fire risk; TEMED is flammable, so a stray spark in a cluttered lab means more than burnt eyebrows.

Practical Solutions for the Lab and Beyond

Basic precautions matter most. I learned early on never to open a TEMED bottle outside a fume hood. The difference between a slight smell and stinging eyes can be a single breath. Labels fade or fall off, but I always double-check containers before grabbing anything. Experience says clean gloves, eye shields, and an open window make work with TEMED safer. If a spill happens, rushing to mop it up only makes fumes worse—leave the room, let the ventilation clear the air, then deal with cleanup by following the safety sheet. Storing TEMED in a secure, cool place keeps accidents at bay. Training new lab members never gets old, because the biggest risks often come from rushing or overconfidence.

Thinking Bigger About Chemical Safety

Looking ahead, smarter packaging might help. Color-changing labels for leaks or better caps would cut down on mistakes. Suppliers could ship smaller bottles, so labs use up TEMED faster and reduce leftovers sitting around. Researchers are already searching for alternate chemicals or safer protocols, which is good news for everyone who spends hours hunched over gels. Until then, it’s on us to remember why TEMED came with all those warnings in the first place and to share what we learn—every mistake is a lesson for the next person.

What is the proper way to handle and dispose of TEMED?

What TEMED Means in Everyday Lab Work

If you’ve ever poured a polyacrylamide gel, you’ve probably used TEMED. This colorless, fishy-smelling liquid helps get polymerization going—it's a small thing with a big role in labs around the world. Even though it seems harmless in tiny squeezes from a pipette, TEMED can leave a mark if handled carelessly. Breathing its fumes or getting it on your skin leads to irritation that ruins your day, and repeated exposure causes long-term health problems. Nobody wants to trade producing sharp gel bands for coughing fits or rashes.

Don’t Cut Corners with TEMED Safety

After one-too-many headaches from skimping on ventilation, I learned the hard way that good habits matter more than rush or routine. Protective gear isn’t just for the chemical shower poster. Gloves, goggles, and a working fume hood take only a few seconds to use, but they save hours of misery. I’ve seen sealed tubes of TEMED sweat their contents through crumbling seals, turning storage spaces into chemical hazard zones. It helps to check seals often, label bottles with the date, and keep smallest-possible supplies on hand.

Spills and Storage: A Little Attention Goes a Long Way

TEMED loves to leak through cap threads and sneak into the air. Storing bottles upright, in cool, ventilated places, prevents the worst of the vapors. Spills spread fast and carry a smell you won’t forget. For small spills, paper towels soaked in household vinegar (acetic acid neutralizes basic amines like TEMED) make a difference. Bag the waste, seal it, and never toss those towels into the trash can under the sink. Big spills call for a proper kit—absorbent pads, vapor masks, and a call to environmental health and safety. Don’t trust that open window to do the job.

Disposal: Following the Rules Matters

Pouring leftover TEMED down the drain seems easy. Besides wrecking plumbing and harming water systems, this approach invites visits from environmental authorities. Waste streams are already full of things fish can’t handle—TEMED shouldn’t become another burden. Every research center or teaching lab runs hazardous waste collection; I make sure to pour every drop of old TEMED and anything contaminated with it into labeled, chemical-resistant containers. I write down the contents and submit a pickup request. This paperwork feels tedious, but it’s part of sharing responsibility with everyone in the building—and everyone downstream.

Beyond the Bottle: Training and Accountability

Lab safety training often sounds dull until an accident leaves its mark. I’ve witnessed careless disposal cost universities thousands in fines, shut down entire labs, and put researchers in the hospital. Regular safety refreshers and transparent reminders about what goes into the hazardous waste container keep mistakes from multiplying. Supervisors who set a good example see fewer problems down the line. If something leaks, report it; if you’re not sure how to throw it away, ask.

Smart Practices Pay Off for Everyone

Chemicals like TEMED give modern science its edge, but only if everyone puts safety first. Protective gear, tidy storage, and careful labeling turn what could be a dangerous job into routine work. Extra steps at the bench stop long-term harm outside its walls. Simple choices—using the fume hood, wearing gloves, making a quick call to waste management—build a safer lab, protect coworkers, and spare the environment. That makes every extra minute well spent.

Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED)
Names
Preferred IUPAC name N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine
Other names 1,1,4,4-Tetramethylethylenediamine
N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine
TMEDA
Pronunciation /ˌtɛtrəˌmɛθəlˌɛˈθaɪliːndəˌæminaɪn/
Identifiers
CAS Number 110-18-9
3D model (JSmol) `JSmol.loadInline("model TMC[Te]N(C)CN(C)C")`
Beilstein Reference 68386
ChEBI CHEBI:24457
ChEMBL CHEMBL152220
ChemSpider 5462
DrugBank DB01957
ECHA InfoCard 03cf81f9-d282-4ac6-825e-7ca45f8c3b2c
EC Number 203-473-9
Gmelin Reference 71052
KEGG C06425
MeSH D014160
PubChem CID 8020
RTECS number XS9625000
UNII 7QGC8WVB9T
UN number UN2372
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) DTXSID5022232
Properties
Chemical formula C6H16N2
Molar mass 116.20 g/mol
Appearance Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor Fishy ammoniacal
Density 0.775 g/mL
Solubility in water miscible
log P -0.6
Vapor pressure 3.8 mmHg (20°C)
Acidity (pKa) 10.38
Basicity (pKb) 6.89
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) -37.9×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol
Refractive index (nD) 1.445
Viscosity 0.778 cP (20 °C)
Dipole moment 0.73 D
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) 210.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) -50.2 kJ/mol
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) -3407 kJ·mol⁻¹
Hazards
GHS labelling GHS02, GHS07
Pictograms GHS02, GHS07
Signal word Warning
Hazard statements Harmful if swallowed. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Harmful if inhaled.
Precautionary statements P210, P261, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313, P302+P352
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) 3-3-2-W
Flash point 11 °C (52 °F; 284 K) (closed cup)
Autoignition temperature 380 °C
Explosive limits 1.2–8% (in air)
Lethal dose or concentration LD₅₀ (oral, rat): 2,300 mg/kg
LD50 (median dose) LD50 (oral, rat): 2,187 mg/kg
NIOSH JN8575000
PEL (Permissible) PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) is "10 ppm (40 mg/m³) TWA (OSHA)".
IDLH (Immediate danger) 100 ppm
Related compounds
Related compounds Ethylenediamine
N,N-Dimethylethylenediamine
Triethylenetetramine
Tetramethylguanidine
Piperazine