Methylamine

Methylamine is the simplest primary amine, with formula CH₃NH₂: a methyl group bonded to an amino group. It is a colorless, flammable gas with a fishy odor.

Amine: An organic compound derived from ammonia by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with carbon-containing groups. Methylamine is the simplest amine with one carbon group attached to nitrogen.
Methyl group: The –CH₃ group, a carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. It is the carbon-containing part of methylamine.
Pharmaceutical intermediate: A substance used in synthesizing an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Methylamine supplies a methylated nitrogen group in syntheses of some medicines.
Ammonia: The inorganic compound NH₃, consisting of one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Replacing one hydrogen in ammonia with methyl gives methylamine.
Acid–base reaction: A reaction involving transfer of a proton between chemical species. Methylamine accepts protons because its nitrogen has an available electron pair.
Amino group: The –NH₂ functional group, consisting of nitrogen bonded to two hydrogen atoms. It is the nitrogen-containing part that gives methylamine its amine chemistry.
Pesticide: A substance used to prevent, destroy, repel, or control pests. Methylamine is used to manufacture some pesticide compounds.
Dimethylamine: A secondary amine with formula (CH₃)₂NH and two methyl groups bonded to nitrogen. Adding a second methyl group changes methylamine from a primary to a secondary amine.
Methylammonium: The positively charged ion CH₃NH₃⁺, formed when methylamine gains a proton. This is the protonated form produced when methylamine acts as a base.
Nitrogen: The chemical element with atomic number 7, central to many biological and industrial compounds. Methylamine’s nitrogen supplies the lone pair responsible for its characteristic reactivity.

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DiethylamineCompared with: Its smaller alkyl substituent changes its properties relative to diethylamine.