Back in the search for new materials during the twentieth century, chemists pursued acrylate compounds with unique reactive side chains. As industries began to look for chemicals with better performance in coatings, adhesives, and water treatment, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate (DMAEA) came under the spotlight. Researchers realized its acrylate backbone carried a highly reactive dimethylaminoethyl group, which opened up possibilities for novel polymers, resins, and modification reactions. Literature from the mid-1900s points to rapid patent activity, especially among producers of specialty monomers who saw value in DMAEA’s ability to act as a chemical building block in both cationic and anionic environments. Decades of incremental research led to modern production systems, much safer handling protocols, and a clearer understanding of its toxicological and application profiles.
DMAEA, as sold today, delivers a liquid monomer with a faint but distinct odor. The molecule contains both a vinyl group (ready for polymerization) and a tertiary amino group (ready for further chemical tweaking). Veteran chemical buyers will recognize it by names like 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate or by shorthand codes in catalogues. It grabs the attention of chemists because it introduces both flexibility and chargeability to polymers, which leads to responsive hydrogels, ion-exchange resins, and finished products that answer shifting market needs.
At room temperature, DMAEA appears as a clear to slightly yellowish liquid. Its molecular weight stands at around 157.2 g/mol. It boasts a boiling point in the range of 80-90°C at reduced pressure and exhibits a density near 0.98 g/cm³ at 20°C. The molecule’s acrylate group lends itself to radical polymerization, while the dimethylamino group draws moisture from air and can react with acids to form quaternary ammonium salts. It dissolves in most polar organic solvents but avoids water unless protonated. These attributes make it both versatile and delicate to store, since the double bond in the backbone likes to react in the presence of light, air, or catalysts unless stabilizers are present.
Industrial suppliers package DMAEA with stabilizers, often MEHQ (mono methyl ether hydroquinone), to prevent runaway polymerization during shipping and storage. Labels flag its reactivity, strong odor, and respiratory risks. Purity benchmarks generally exceed 99%, with close controls on water content, acidity, and inhibitory content. Safety data sheets spell out the need for ventilation, gloves, and goggles—especially given the risk to eyes and mucous membranes. Container markings comply with GHS and REACH, and shipping follows the rules for hazardous liquids.
DMAEA production generally involves the transesterification of acrylate esters with dimethylaminoethanol under controlled conditions. Commercial outfits optimize reaction conditions using acid or base catalysis, maintain a dry and inert atmosphere to prevent unwanted polymerization, and continuously strip off reaction byproducts. Plant operators stress the importance of temperature controls and quick downstream stabilization to avoid issues with storage or downstream use. Recovered product goes through distillation and finishing stages until final purity marks are met.
This molecule thrives in modification chemistry. The acrylate end opens the door for free-radical, cationic, and even anionic polymerization routes—so chemists looking for charge-switchable or pH-sensitive polymers often turn to it. Its dimethylamino group offers a handle for quaternization, reacting with alkyl halides or acids to create strong cationic functionality, a property widely used in water treatment and flocculants. Once incorporated into a polymer chain, it can dramatically alter glass transition temperatures, solubility, and response to environmental cues. Industrial users routinely blend it or copolymerize it with other monomers to create customer-tailored performance plastics, resins, and gels.
Chemical companies vary in how they name or market DMAEA. Common synonyms on safety sheets include 2-Dimethylaminoethyl Acrylate, DMAEA, and Dimethylaminoethylacrylate. Product codes and trade names can cause some confusion, especially across North America, Europe, and Asia, so buyers cross-check based on CAS number 2439-35-2 to avoid mistakes. Over the years, specialty suppliers have trademarked polymer-modified variants for specific use cases in coatings, functional papers, or oilfield chemicals.
Working with DMAEA calls for a culture of safety. Anyone handling the compound in the lab (or at commercial scale) quickly recognizes the irritation potential—exposure can sting eyes, nose, or exposed skin. Safety protocols stress the use of tight-sealing gloves, splash goggles, and local exhaust ventilation. Storage away from sunlight and ignition sources is standard, and the stabilizer content of stored material is routinely checked. Spill protocols include neutralizers and inert absorbents. Occupational health standards from OSHA, EU-REACH, and other regulators spell out exposures and limits. In-house audits and training push teams to anticipate upsets and handle emergencies fast, because a fast spill response builds trust across the lab or plant floor.
DMAEA finds a home in industries looking for polymers with tailored charge and flexibility. Water treatment companies depend on its quaternized derivatives for coagulants and flocculants that help settle suspended solids. Paper and textile producers value DMAEA-based polymers for boosting paper retention, improving hand-feel, and giving antistatic properties. In coatings and adhesives, its unique reactivity makes crosslinked or pH-sensitive layers possible, especially in medical or electronic uses. Oilfield chemistry benefits from its ability to modify muds and additives for specific well conditions. My experience in the specialty chemical business taught me that DMAEA customers always want custom blends, since off-the-shelf resins hardly ever fit a niche need—whether for biodegradable plastics, advanced hydrogels, or next-generation detergent boosters.
Academic labs continue to explore how DMAEA can boost the performance of smart polymers. Scientists have built sensors, drug-delivery carriers, and antifouling coatings based on DMAEA-containing copolymers. Teams worldwide study how the molecule can help connect synthetic and natural polymers, amplify surface interactions, and support green chemistry. On the analytical side, research looks at how trace amounts influence surface charge, swelling behavior, or long-term stability in harsh conditions. In my own work analyzing emulsions for industrial adhesives, tweaking the DMAEA content often led to big swings in bond strength and shelf life—points customers care about far more than theoretical performance claims.
Toxicology studies on DMAEA show clear risks from acute skin or eye contact, while chronic risks look lower thanks to rapid metabolism and elimination. Animal studies point toward irritant effects without clear evidence of mutagenicity or carcinogenicity at industrial exposure levels. Environmental release gets more attention, as the amine group can break down to simpler volatiles or products that affect water quality. Regulatory agencies keep a close watch and require strict labeling, effluent controls, and in some places, personal exposure monitoring. The chemical industry’s response has focused on closed handling systems and improved engineering controls, a move partly shaped by safety audits from customers in Europe and North America.
Looking ahead, DMAEA will keep gaining ground in advanced material science—especially where companies chase greener chemistry and high-value functionalities. Its ability to anchor ionic or switchable groups onto a polymer backbone means it fits future-facing trends in smart coatings, responsive textiles, and medical materials. Research teams have already tried embedding DMAEA into hydrogels for drug delivery and tissue engineering, betting on the combination of chemical reactivity and biocompatibility. Tech firms are eyeing new generations of antistatic and anti-fouling polymers based on DMAEA copolymers, while water and energy companies weigh its role in upcoming environmental regulations. As chemical regulations tighten, producers will probably invest more in process safety, green synthesis, and detailed lifecycle studies—pushing DMAEA further into the mix of specialty chemicals for the years ahead.
Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate—now there’s a mouthful. Its name doesn’t pop up in daily conversation, but the stuff has a surprising impact on regular life. It’s a chemical building block tucked behind the scenes in countless products, and most folks never realize they’re surrounded by items that started with this acrylate in a lab or factory.
Look at how adhesives have changed over the years. Labels stick better and peel off without tearing everything apart. Temporary tattoos last through a bath, but wash off with a little scrubbing. Hair gels give a firm hold but rinse out after a day. Acrylate compounds like this one help bind, hold, and release on cue. Formulators find themselves drawn to dimethylaminoethyl acrylate because it plays well with other chemicals.
I’ve seen these specialty acrylates show up in coatings for both paper and textiles. Thanks to their unique molecular setup, they help printed images look sharp and stay clear—think magazines, catalogs, even fancier packaging. In textiles, the water resistance and dye-fastness get a big boost, which means tablecloths don’t stain as easily and T-shirts keep their color.
This isn’t just about convenience. A molecule like dimethylaminoethyl acrylate carries an extra little “tail” that gives it an edge. The amine component in its structure lets it grab hold of other chemicals (or even dirt), which explains why it pops up in water treatment plants. Treatment operators dose it into big tanks, and it snags impurities so the rest of us get clean and safe water at the tap.
Cationic polymers, crafted with this acrylate, work in shampoos and conditioners to help hair feel smooth. The chemistry links to each strand, making combing easier. Oral care brands have even turned to these polymers to thicken gels and improve how toothpaste spreads in the mouth.
Talking chemistry in a relatable way also means talking safety. Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate has irritant properties if it’s not handled right. Workers mixing this product need gloves and eye protection. The risk to consumers shrinks once it’s built into a finished product, but folks in manufacturing push for better ventilation and exposure limits. Regulation keeps a close eye, with agencies setting workplace rules and approving limits in cosmetics and household goods. The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Environmental Protection Agency encourage firms to test for trace byproducts and reduce worker exposure.
Acrylates like this one don’t stick around forever in the environment, but groups want better. Biodegradable alternatives and more plant-based chemicals are entering the scene. Startups are watching wastewater for byproducts, recycling where they can, and pushing for safer transport and storage. Some companies swap in less-hazardous amine components or use greener solvents to lower environmental loads. Trading out part of that molecule for a plant-oil cousin cuts down on emissions and makes for a softer footprint.
Lots of people don’t think twice about the chemical teamwork behind everyday convenience. In industry or at home, the small traces of dimethylaminoethyl acrylate in binders, coatings, or conditioners keep life running smooth. Staying curious, reading up on regulation, and pressuring for safer chemistry turn product improvements into wins for health and the planet—not just shiny new packaging.
Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, or DMAEA for short, shows up in the labs of folks who work with polymers and resins. It’s a building block in coatings, adhesives, and some inks. The stuff packs a punch with its sharp odor, strong reactivity, and tendency to irritate skin and eyes. For people working with it, these aren’t minor details. Proper handling separates a regular workday from a hazardous one.
In my own lab years, I watched new hires skip gloves, thinking an acrylic-based liquid couldn’t be too harsh. That’s a surefire route to chemical burns or long-term sensitivity. Disposable nitrile gloves take the edge off accidental splashes. Long sleeves help—cotton sometimes beats synthetic fabrics since synthetics might melt if splashes turn serious. Safety goggles stay non-negotiable, and anyone who’s taken a splash in the eyes remembers the burning, tearing, and blur for hours. Face shields go a step further, especially during transfers or weighing.
Breathing fumes slowly chips away at lung health. DMAEA’s pungent odor sticks around, but waiting for your nose to pick up trouble means waiting too long. Fume hoods aren’t optional luxuries—they safeguard against the invisible risks. Even with vented cabinets, a spill indoors can fill a lab with vapors faster than you’d expect. People often underestimate just how quickly a room can fill with fumes while mixing or reacting acrylates.
The wrong jug on the wrong shelf leads to chaos and emergency calls. DMAEA prefers cool, dry places, far from sunlight or open flames. Since it’s both flammable and reacts with acids, oxidizers, and even water at times, mixing it up with incompatible chemicals is a recipe for fire or toxic hiccups—sometimes both. Labeled bottles, secondary containers, and keeping acids on separate shelves work wonders.
Clean-up means treating even small spills with respect—absorb with neutralizing materials, double-bag debris, and ventilate the space. I’ve seen too many people use paper towels and hope for the best. In my experience, skipping hazardous waste procedures wastes more time later, especially if someone gets sick or an inspector visits.
People skip safety routines, thinking nothing will go wrong because it never has before. That mindset invites disaster. OSHA and NIOSH highlight the need for regular training on handling acrylates, focusing on both emergency steps and everyday precautions. In a research group I worked with, everyone ran through mock spill drills twice a year. When an accident eventually happened, the team’s response made the difference between a crisis and a cleanup.
Safer labs grow from a culture of speaking up when something feels off. Managers keep the standards high by acting quickly on concerns and making sure safety gear stays stocked. Installing spill kits, sharing incident reports, and keeping open communication channels encourages everyone to think beyond their own benches. If workers question procedures, leaders owe them clear, honest answers—plus better resources when needed.
Taking DMAEA precautions seriously protects everyone in the room. If you respect both the science and the risks, you show expertise and a genuine concern for others—values that outlast any single experiment or shift.
Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate stands out in chemical manufacturing and polymer science. Its chemical formula is C7H13NO2, and the CAS number is 2439-35-2. These identifiers aren’t just numbers and letters; they’re key for ordering, auditing, and keeping track of safety and regulations on the shop floor or in the lab.
Grabbing a drum or bottle marked only with a product name can lead to mix-ups. In any workplace handling chemicals, the formula and CAS number act like a license plate for each substance. More than once, I’ve caught near-mistakes because someone wrote down the wrong product code. The formula makes it easy to check a supplier’s paperwork or look up handling guidance, especially when some chemicals have very similar names.
Knowing exactly what you’re working with helps teams avoid serious accidents. Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate reacts strongly with oxidizers and needs careful storage to prevent leaks or fumes. The right paperwork, tied to the formula and CAS number, connects first-responders and safety teams with the correct Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and emergency plans. In my experience, during fire drills or real spills, confusion about a supplier’s alias or shorthand name wastes precious time. This risk goes down when everyone double-checks CAS numbers before starting a shift.
This chemical isn’t just for chemists or engineers. It pops up in the coatings used on pipes, adhesives in manufacturing plants, and even as an ingredient in water treatment processes. The formula—C7H13NO2—lets manufacturers trace issues in finished goods if they have to recall a batch or troubleshoot a coating failure. If an adhesive fails in a cold storage locker, for instance, a quick look-up with the CAS number 2439-35-2 helps a plant manager talk to both the supplier and regulators if questions come up.
Problems usually start with incomplete records. A missing or incorrect CAS number slows down both audits and repairs. Improved training and tech—like quick-scanning a label to match the formula and number instantly—have helped reduce errors where I’ve worked. Companies that invest in this kind of simple, tech-driven verification often see fewer record-keeping headaches and speedier compliance checks. For smaller facilities, organizing a system where labels and logs always reference the chemical formula and CAS number can turn a messy shelf of products into something anyone can understand after one training session.
Clear, consistent details—like always having the chemical formula (C7H13NO2) and CAS number (2439-35-2) in documentation—make a difference across the industry. Engineers, task supervisors, and field techs all benefit from this clarity. Regulators watching for environmental or workplace safety violations rely on accurate identifiers to connect rules to real-world activities. By treating these numbers as essential as a product’s name, workplaces boost safety, efficiency, and reliability.
Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate comes with a reputation. Anyone who’s worked in specialty chemicals knows one slip can lead to a ruined batch or, worse, a hazardous situation. It’s a reactive liquid and doesn’t play nice with moisture or temperature swings. Breathing those strong vapors for too long can send you home sick, and leaks find their way onto your skin faster than you’d expect. That’s the reality of handling materials like this one.
Personal experience counts for a lot here. Years spent near chemical storage rooms drove home how critical the basics become: don’t let complacency sink in, and trust the safety data sheets. If a chemical promises to give you trouble in storage, there’s usually a reason.
Nobody sets out to lose an entire drum to polymerization. Bad storage makes expensive mistakes. Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate wants a cool, dry spot. Even those with good ventilation sometimes overlook what humidity and heat can cause during summer months. A warehouse near a steam line or under a leaky pipe quickly turns risky.
Many chemical suppliers warn their clients about sunlight sneaking through windows in the storage area. Direct sunlight heats containers and speeds up reactions you never want to see. I once saw a colleague try to “tuck away” chemicals in a closet—no airflow and way too warm. We had to call in the cleaning crew.
Steel drums and HDPE containers both work, provided you check seals often. Over the years, I learned not to trust a container just because it looks clean on the outside. The right label tells safety teams and contractors what’s really in there, so don’t take shortcuts. Avoid shoving containers against cold walls or leaving them stacked where someone might forget about them.
It’s easy to get sloppy after a long shift. I’ve watched teams stack chemical drums for “just a few days” only to leave them that way all year. Some pushed containers together and later found caps fused shut or leaking. Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate rewards attention to detail and punishes carelessness. A good storage plan lines up containers so visual inspections actually happen. It also keeps incompatible chemicals far apart. Every company says they do this, but in reality, things get messy unless someone keeps a sharp eye out.
I’ve come across bottles with expired shelf life more than once. Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate won’t get magically safer just because no one’s checked the date. Temperature data loggers and humidity monitors give data you can't ignore, especially as seasons change.
A lot of places lag behind on digital tracking, still relying on hand-written inventory. Digital systems flag old products and help you rotate stock. Tracking movement reduces accidental exposure and flags missing containers instantly.
Training keeps safety fresh in everyone’s minds. Teams that walk through procedures together spot issues before they get serious. Emergency plans—fire, leaks, spills—help in a way that paperwork never will. I’ve seen spill kits used quickly only thanks to regular drills and open conversations.
Good storage for dimethylaminoethyl acrylate isn’t complicated. It just asks for respect. Keep it cool and dry, keep containers tight and labeled, and never forget to monitor. Every small step stacks up to real safety. I’d rather see extra caution than land in a crisis that could have been avoided.
Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate doesn't roll off the tongue, but it's found all over in specialty coatings, flocculants, adhesives, and even certain water treatment processes. I remember reading a product safety sheet for a lab adhesive a few years back and running my finger down the “ingredients”—right there in the fine print sat this compound. Most people never read far enough to notice, yet its presence isn't rare across industrial sites.
Exposure to this chemical can come from skin contact, breathing vapors, or, in rare cases, swallowing. Those working in industries using dimethylaminoethyl acrylate risk irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. I once saw a colleague develop a nasty rash after a vial spilled during a shift. The strong, fishy odor of leaked acrylates gave me a headache before I had even finished sopping up the mess.
Companies are required to supply safety gear like gloves, goggles, and exhaust hoods for good reason. According to the European Chemicals Agency, this compound can trigger allergic skin reactions and serious eye irritation. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health doesn’t mince words: proper ventilation and PPE matter. Short bursts of exposure probably won’t send most of us to the ER, but routine handling without precautions may lead to health concerns down the road.
Factories producing or using this chemical must keep their waste streams tight. I think back to a training session on industrial wastewater—if a spill entered the stormwater drains unchecked, fish and aquatic insects wouldn’t last long. Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate doesn’t break down quickly, and its breakdown products aren’t always friendly either. It poses a toxicity risk to aquatic life, which is clear from multiple laboratory studies published in toxicological journals over the past decade.
Strict reporting rules control emissions in many countries, but not all enforcement teams have the staff or tools they’d like. History shows what can go wrong: In 2018, a processing plant in Asia released a similar acrylate compound, and the nearby river saw fish die-offs for weeks.
Safer practices start at the lab bench or factory floor. Splash-proof gear, extractor fans, and tight storage routines cut down on risks. Regular air quality monitoring isn’t just box-ticking—it catches leaks early. Facility managers who take the time to train workers on chemical hazards see fewer accidents and lower turnover for good reason.
Limiting releases into air and water makes a difference. Regulations require tracking of production, storage, and waste. Businesses that recycle or treat chemical wastes onsite avoid costly cleanups and community backlash. The Responsible Care initiative, for example, sets a model for safer chemical management by highlighting accountability.
Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate won’t vanish from manufacturing soon, but its story doesn’t need to be one of unchecked risk. Companies, workers, and communities can push for safer substitutes. Investment in containment, early detection, and responsible disposal means fewer health and environmental disasters.
Awareness and transparency help spark these improvements. Workers who ask questions and know their rights about chemical safety help keep standards high. Local communities demanding to know what’s handled nearby keep companies on their toes. For anyone living near or working with this chemical, vigilance pays off.
