a secondary acyclic amine, (CH₃)₂NH; a colorless gas with a sharp, unpleasant odor. Upon cooling it condenses readily to a colorless liquid. Melting point, −92.2°C; boiling point, 6.9°C. It is soluble in water and organic solvents; with acids it yields crystalline salts and undergoes acylation, alkylation, and nitrosation. It is formed upon putrefaction of proteins.

In industry, dimethylamine is prepared (with an admixture of trimethylamine) from methanol and ammonia, as well as from formaldehyde and ammonium chloride. It is used in organic synthesis (the Mannich reaction) to produce medicinal preparations (dicain, chlorpromazine, and so on), rocket fuel (dimethylhydrazine), and vulcanization accelerators.