Curiosity has always pushed chemistry ahead, and 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane owes its emergence to classic research into polyamines in the post-war boom of industrial chemistry. Researchers traced this molecule while looking for robust aliphatic amines with potential in organic synthesis and material science. Early reports described the capabilities of such molecules not just in chemical manufacturing, but also in the field of polymer science, where chemists tested every variant for strength, flexibility, or resistance under pressure. The history here serves as a snapshot of how small molecules shaped larger industries: behind every new amine, chemists documented new properties, opened another door to yet another use case, and watched as formulas that looked like curiosities in the 1960s became backbone reagents for the next generation of polymers and fine chemicals.
1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane, also called 2-Methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, stands out within the family of aliphatic diamines. Its structure, with two primary amine groups at either end of a six-carbon backbone, offers more reactivity than simpler analogues. That means chemists reach for it when designing cross-linkers, polyamide layers, or specialty surfactants. The compound takes a colorless or slightly yellow appearance and comes in liquid or crystalline form depending on storage and conditions. Its dual functionality provides a rare chance to tweak materials, whether softening a polymer or anchoring specialty coatings.
In its native state, 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane has a boiling point near 190°C under reduced pressure, which makes distillation or purification manageable for any lab with suitable equipment. It dissolves easily in polar solvents; water and alcohol both work. The amine groups react quickly and can capture carbon dioxide or bind acids, so proper storage calls for dry, airtight containers. Its faint amine smell brings back memories of organic labs, but this also signals its reactivity—an amine group ready to engage with acyl or alkyl halides, with aldehydes, or, for the risk-tolerant, isocyanates. The molecule’s geometry—a branching at the second carbon—reduces symmetry and affects how it fits with other chemical reactants, a detail I learned the hard way while troubleshooting inconsistent yields from a batch reaction.
Lab-grade shipments mark purity above 97%, and reputable suppliers include full spectroscopic data and MSDS sheets. Standard labels highlight the need for gloves and ventilation, but a squint at any technical data sheet confirms additional details: molecular weight of 116.21 g/mol, CAS number 15520-10-2, and a tendency to form salts if exposed to acid vapors. Suppliers package this diamine in amber or HDPE bottles with seals, and reliable sources offer supporting paperwork like REACH compliance and up-to-date hazard statements. Labels drop regulatory codes to keep everyone in line with chemical transport laws, helping avoid unpleasant surprises with customs or audits.
The most straightforward synthesis starts with the conversion of a branched hexane precursor through nitration, reduction, and amination steps. I’ve watched teams use catalytic hydrogenation to turn dinitrohexanes into the desired diamine, but large plants invest in continuous reactors and control systems to maximize yield and minimize byproducts. Each approach comes down to scale—bench chemists weigh convenience and cost while industrial engineers focus on minimizing hazardous intermediates, streamlining purification, and keeping the waste stream manageable. Purification, often overlooked, involves multiple distillations and extractions to discard side products, a process made more challenging because primary amines tend to latch onto impurities with stubborn tenacity.
1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane proves itself a workhorse across several synthetic routes. The molecule’s primary amine groups open the door to straightforward amidation and urea synthesis. I remember using it to construct polyamide chains—each amine group forming a tight bond with acyl chloride monomers, creating polymers with tailored flexibility. Beyond polymers, this diamine reacts with glyoxal derivatives to create rigid heterocyclic structures, making it valuable for specialty adhesive research. Those same amine groups can be alkylated or acylated, and under careful heating, you get cyclic hexahydropyrimidines, which some labs value for advanced medicinal chemistry. Isocyanate reactions run fast, letting formulators whip up tough polyurethane foams with unexpected resilience.
Chemists refer to 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane by several names. Besides 2-Methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, catalogs list it as DMPDA, and trade catalogues sometimes shorten it to MePDA. These synonyms streamline communication across regions and simplify ordering. Product names in industry pop up as specialty diamines or as custom-named components in proprietary blends, especially if a larger chemical supplier is leveraging its unique reactivity for patented processes. A little cross-checking between international catalogs ensures no one confuses it with similar diamines, particularly during procurement or regulatory audits.
Handling 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane calls for standard precautions found with medium-to-strong amines. Direct skin contact stings and may cause irritation or sensitization. I once forgot to tighten a glove during a rushed setup; the faint tingling was a sharp reminder about chemical hygiene. Proper ventilation keeps ammonia-like fumes away, and standard eye protection and lab coats prevent injuries. Storage in sealed, labeled containers protects against slow water absorption and potential acid-base reactions that could release heat or noxious vapors. Operational standards extend to waste disposal, too—residues end up in designated amine waste streams, avoiding drain disposal to protect both plumbing and the wider environment. SDS sheets from reputable suppliers flesh out first aid measures and spill protocols, which means every lab technician can handle small mishaps without panic.
Polymer chemists use 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane to build specialty polyamides and urethanes, especially where unique flexibility or resilience matter—a point that shows up in sporting goods, automotive coatings, and controlled-release drug capsules. Water treatment specialists employ derivatives of this diamine in certain ion-exchange membranes, and surface chemists add it to adhesion promoters for tough coatings. Another field, analytical chemistry, leverages its strong nucleophilicity for reagent kits. I’ve seen it anchor organic frameworks in sensor prototypes at research expos, where functionality depends on those exposed amine groups. Custom synthesis firms supply it as a starting block for exploring new agrochemical candidates or active pharmaceutical intermediates.
Academic and industry labs regularly explore modifications of 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane, looking to tweak performance for advanced materials. Recent patent filings describe it as a component in next-generation polyurethanes, tuned for temperature stability and better survivability outdoors. Teams experiment with changing the branching at carbon 2 to maximize compatibility with newer plasticizer systems—a detail critical for medical device manufacturing or electronics housings. Funding bodies now steer attention toward greener production routes, pushing for bio-based precursors or lower-emission synthesis setups. International conferences often feature posters comparing structural analogs in fields from battery separators to desalination membranes, reflecting the breadth of research into new functional materials.
Toxicological studies put primary concern on skin and respiratory irritation. Animal testing at moderate exposures has revealed reversible effects on mucous membranes—a finding that aligns with the experience of anyone who’s mishandled amines without proper protection. Chronic studies run by regulatory bodies look for evidence of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or other long-term risks. Recent reviews, published in journals like Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, highlight limited but reassuring reports: while not without risk, 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane sits among medium-hazard substances—handle it with respect, but not fear. Ongoing research checks for ecological effects, especially as waste streams from polymer plants edge toward water systems. Labs continue to run simulations on metabolic breakdown, pushing to fully understand all downstream health impacts.
1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane stands poised for a larger role in advanced manufacturing, particularly as industries demand more sustainable and tunable molecular building blocks. Research into renewable sourcing continues—chemists are tackling routes from biogenic feedstocks to sidestep petrochemical dependencies. I’ve seen growing interest in formulations used for recycling plastics, where this diamine’s unique backbone helps break down or re-form complex polymer chains. Regulatory trends push companies to fully map the environmental footprint of every molecule, driving innovation in both waste handling and emission controls. I expect that over the coming decade, a mix of curiosity, regulation, and application-driven innovation will carve out fresh opportunities for 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane, especially in sectors where durability, green chemistry, and elemental efficiency intersect in new, unexpected ways.
Over the years, the workhorse chemicals tucked behind big industry names don’t always get the limelight. 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane, known among technicians as a handy diamine, plays a surprisingly vital role in making everyday materials stronger and more adaptable. You’ll find its fingerprints in manufacturing scenes, not glitzy headlines—but its impact runs deep.
This diamine shines in the world of polyamides and specialty nylons. Its molecular structure, built for flexibility and strength, lends itself to tough plastics. Companies reach for this compound to produce nylon variants that can handle higher temperatures and resist chemicals better than the average material. These properties show up in real life in automotive parts, outdoor gear, electronic components, and even medical devices. Anyone who has used a durable nylon zip tie or watched kids hammer away at a rugged toy truck has seen the benefit firsthand.
Many industrial plants favor 1,5-diamino-2-methylpentane when looking for alternatives to traditional petrochemical-based chemicals. Sourced partly through biobased routes, it brings new options to companies searching for a lower environmental footprint. Studies, including work by Asahi Kasei and other materials giants, show that switching even a fraction of nylon production to bio-derived diamines slashes carbon emissions. For businesses working to meet stricter regulations or consumer demand for greener products, this counts for more than marketing points—it helps meet global targets.
The versatility of this compound goes beyond tough plastics. Adhesives and coatings manufacturers add it to formulas where they want hardness with a dose of flexibility. This unique combination stops cracked surfaces and broken bonds. During my time working alongside coatings researchers, I watched them experiment with different diamines, always chasing that sweet spot where a finish shrugs off both heat and rough handling. With 1,5-diamino-2-methylpentane, they began to see fewer returns and lower warranty claims because the coatings just lasted longer, especially under heavy use.
It also blends well into epoxy systems. Epoxies that get help from this molecule resist yellowing and breakage better, which matters to car part suppliers and electronics producers. The gear that powers electric motors, for instance, takes a pounding—heat, vibration, stress. The right amine hardener makes the difference between a part that fails early and one that outlives its warranty.
Not every chemical arrives without concerns. Proper training and ventilation matter during processing—as with most amines, skin and eye irritation top the risk list. Plant managers handle these with good gloves, fume hoods, and regular safety checks. Transparent workplace rules and safety data sheets give everyone on the team a fair chance at going home healthy. In my own lab work, reviewing procedures and double-checking labels protected people as well as products.
Sourcing counts as another concern. Demand for biobased feedstocks keeps rising, and not every supplier offers reliable, traceable inputs. More work remains to shore up sustainable supply chains and lower costs—especially as new governments roll out green procurement rules. Academic labs and technology firms keep pushing for more efficient production methods that use less waste and fewer fossil resources. Anyone who’s ever tried to find budget room for new chemicals knows price and supply never leave the equation.
1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane, sometimes called cadaverine’s slightly more complex cousin, may not get as much spotlight in the chemical or biotech scene, but its structure makes it worth a second look. Here, the backbone is pretty straightforward for anyone familiar with organic chemistry: five carbon atoms form a straight chain, with an amine group at each end—those NH2 units always ready for a good bonding session. The “2-methyl” tells us a methyl group (CH3) hangs off the second carbon, nudging everything around just enough to give the compound a noticeable difference compared to run-of-the-mill diamines.
This molecule’s backbone—pentane—makes it a five-carbon chain: imagine a simple zig-zag line. Attach an amino group to both the first and fifth carbons, and then plop a methyl group onto the second one. The layout is: NH2-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH2-NH2. The molecular formula is C6H16N2. This small methyl tweak at the second carbon may look insignificant, but from what I’ve seen in the lab, even such modest modifications can alter how the molecule reacts. That’s a key fact in organic chemistry, and it’s exactly why drug discovery has to be hands-on and empirical. One extra methyl, and suddenly a molecule interacts differently with enzymes or targets, sometimes with dramatic results either in the body or on the bench.
I’ve watched molecular tweaks turn dead-simple chemicals into vital players in pharmaceuticals. Diamines, especially aliphatic ones like this, end up in all sorts of places: bioplastics, resins, adhesives, and even as precursors in the synthesis of more complex drug molecules. 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane, with its structure, brings another layer of reactivity. Those two amines can grab onto other chemical groups, giving researchers room to build new molecules—sometimes ones that bacteria can’t easily break down, sometimes ones that bond strongly in materials where toughness really counts.
Production and disposal bring up environmental concerns; amine-containing compounds can get pretty pungent, and they’re not always great for waterways. Labs working with these chemicals have to stay sharp—personal protective equipment is essential, and ventilation keeps everyone breathing easy. I’ve seen projects grind to a halt because folks underestimated what these seemingly simple amines can do to the nose, the air, or the ecosystem. It’s easy to chase molecular complexity but just as important to set up processes for safe handling and responsible waste management.
Chemistry offers a constant push and pull between what’s possible and what’s sustainable. Cleaner synthesis routes, tighter controls in the lab, and a clear eye on downstream waste give the field a way forward. Open collaboration across disciplines turns these structural details into breakthroughs, not just in theory, but in the way new drugs, materials, and technologies roll out for real people. The story’s simple: learn from hands-on experience, adapt with good science, and take responsibility for every molecule from start to finish.
Big names on a chemical label have a way of scaring people. 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane sounds harsh and technical, but reading a name isn’t the same thing as knowing what it does to people or the environment. I’ve seen enough panic over chemistry, so I believe clear information matters more than guesswork or fear.
1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane comes out of the specialty chemicals world. Some companies use it as a building block for plastics, coatings, and sometimes in research labs. Unless you’re in one of those spaces, you probably won’t run into it at home or in food. Most folks outside chemistry won’t be exposed except through work, and then good labs follow strict safety rules.
I’ve worked in laboratories where handling unknowns comes with the job. For this compound, the biggest risks swing toward skin or eye contact and breathing in dust or vapor during manufacturing. The stuff is an amine, which means it can bother your skin and eyes, causing burning, itching, or redness, and nobody should ignore those warnings. Strong smells are common with these chemicals, and headaches or dizziness can crop up if there’s bad ventilation.
There’s not a huge mountain of public data on this chemical compared to notorious ones like benzene or formaldehyde. Still, similar diamines sometimes show irritation, allergic responses, or environmental persistence. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) flags it as irritating but doesn’t put it in the same league as carcinogens or substances that cause birth defects. It doesn’t pop up high on global lists of restricted substances.
Researchers, plant workers, and anyone handling powder or liquid forms look to safety data sheets for instructions. Gloves, goggles, and lab coats count for a lot—nothing fancy, just old-fashioned protection. Washing up after the shift or after a spill goes a long way. That’s the system I grew up with in science, and it helps more than most realize.
The worst exposures seem tied to concentrated spills, splashes, or improper waste management. Breathing a lot of vapor or dust raises more concern for airway and lung irritation. Waterways can suffer if the chemical drains straight into them, though the evidence suggests it doesn’t build up in fish or soil. Companies have spill plans and training, but compliance sometimes slips through the cracks.
Strong chemical management policies help reduce trouble. I’ve seen companies invest in better ventilation, automation, and proper labeling so confusion drops. Quick response to spills or incidents means less long-term harm for air, land, or people. For those near chemical plants, public notice boards and safety drills help everyone stay ready, which I value higher than press releases.
Regulators keep an eye on substances like this, updating guidance as more science comes in. Workers or communities shouldn’t settle for the status quo. If you feel unsafe or can’t get an honest answer about a chemical, it’s worth making noise. No one benefits from silence except the people sticking their heads in the sand.
Reading through long chemical reports can tire even the most patient person, but awareness pays off. For 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane, regular workplace controls, education, and honest conversations about risk offer the best line of defense. A little knowledge, thoughtfulness, and hands-on common sense make hazardous chemicals something manageable instead of mysterious.
Anyone who’s handled chemicals in a lab or warehouse knows they never forgive carelessness. 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane isn’t some innocent sugar—its molecular structure features two reactive amino groups, making it both useful and risky. Mess up storage, and you invite skin burns, poisonous vapors, or dangerous chemical reactions. I’ve watched a small spill in a poorly ventilated storeroom turn an ordinary afternoon into a frantic first-aid session. No one wants that.
Smart storage starts with temperature and ventilation. This compound handles room temperature just fine, but humidity brings headaches. That means you want a cool, dry place—nowhere near water or steam. Ventilation cuts down exposure if fumes ever escape. Once, an overstuffed chemical closet with jammed shelves turned a spill into an avoidable panic. Shelving shouldn’t just hold up bottles. It needs space and stability so containers don’t topple or bump against each other.
Caps and closures don’t last forever, especially if you wrench them open with sticky gloves. Always check lids before stashing a bottle away. Even a tiny crack allows vapors to escape, which can harm lungs or set off smoke detectors. Store 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane in tightly closed, clearly labeled containers made out of something non-reactive—glass works well, high-grade plastic does too. Mark everything. Rushing during a busy shift, I’ve seen workers grab the wrong bottle just because someone forgot a label. A clear, dated label steers everyone clear of trouble.
This chemical reacts badly with strong oxidizers or acids. Mixing storage—dumping bottles of bleach, acids, or peroxides side by side—raises the odds of a nasty accident. Most facilities use lockable cabinets or color-coded bins for a reason. Think of it as a family brawl: certain relatives can’t share a room, or no one’s safe. Whenever possible, separate 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane from anything that eats away at organics or fuels wild reactions.
Storing a risky compound and forgetting about personal protective equipment equals gambling with safety. Stock nitrile gloves, goggles, a face shield, and a sturdy apron nearby. Quick-access spill kits, featuring absorbent pads and neutralizing agents, save precious minutes during emergencies. After a minor chemical splash eight years ago, fast cleanup and proper gloves kept a colleague’s hands from dangerous burns.
Storage guidelines written in a dusty binder don’t make a safe workplace. Regular walks through the storeroom, quick inspections of containers, and honest conversations about near-misses create real safety. If a container shows corrosion, bulging, or crusty residue, remove and replace it. In my years handling chemicals, small habits—like tightening lids and wiping spills right away—saved far more trouble than fancy technology ever did.
Some companies cut corners, gambling that nothing ever happens. Focusing on staff training, investing in proper shelving, and posting clear signage trumps any false economy. Simple rules, enforced daily, mean more than posters or one-off training sessions. Ask those closest to the storage to spot weak points and suggest better routines. In the end, safe storage cuts costs by preventing accidents, downtime, and costly medical bills.
1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane gives off a definite sense of duality right from its name. This compound features two amino groups and a single methyl bump, branching out across a five-carbon chain. Known to chemists as a transparent, colorless liquid, sometimes appearing as a solid depending on room temperature shifts. Its smell carries a hint of amines—sharp, almost like ammonia with a bit of depth. This isn’t a chemical often found lying around kitchens or garages. It has a boiling point near 185°C, which signals a sturdy backbone and some serious resilience to heat before vaporizing away. Touch a drop to skin, and it feels smooth, but don’t let familiarity fool you; proper handling matters.
Any chemist who has tried to dissolve 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane knows its personality: it jumps into water with ease. This water-loving nature arises from those two amine groups—the same ones giving it that classic buried-in-lab scent. In alcohols, solutions blend readily, but in nonpolar solvents like hexane, the affair fizzles out. It won’t just mix with anything; it demands a certain chemical kinship.
Many folks see amines as fussy, and there’s truth to that reputation. This compound doesn’t waste time reacting with acids to form salts. Drop some hydrochloric acid and watch crystals form almost immediately. The two amine groups love picking up protons. Lab workers use this trick to store or purify the material, since the salt version is often more stable and less smelly. The methyl side group doesn’t hide—it's slightly more shielded against oxidation than a straight-line diamine, but vigorous oxidizers like bleach give no quarter.
I’ve worked with this diamine during polymer synthesis. Sometimes, a little bit goes a long way in changing polymer flexibility and thermal properties. It has that rare quality—able to flex between water and organic synthesis. In practical use, this chemical’s reactivity deserves respect. Forgetting to wear gloves once convinced me; a small splash can irritate the skin and eyes. Proper ventilation isn’t a suggestion—it’s a must, as the vapors carry both irritation and risk. This is not just about comfort, but about keeping lungs and tissue safe from amine exposure.
Many forget the small molecules carry powerful impacts. 1,5-Diamino-2-methylpentane doesn’t rate high on the toxicity scale compared to some amines, but inhaling vapors or long-term exposure still damages mucous membranes. That adds up for chemists on tight schedules—wearing goggles and nitrile gloves, using fume hoods, makes the difference between health and regret. Spills stick around unless neutralized; an acid spill kit does the trick fast. I urge anyone using it to respect its reactive amine core and wash any exposed area quickly.
Manufacturers and researchers have options for keeping things safer and tidier with this diamine. Simple steps mean a lot—switching to well-sealed containers, double-checking fume hood fans, and using accurate lab balances. Folks developing greener synthesis routes might experiment with better process solvents for this compound, pushing for polypeptides or greener plastics. Education stands out as the strongest lever—sharing hands-on stories about skin irritation or chemical burns works better than any rulebook. People tend to remember stories over statistics.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 5-Methylpentane-1,5-diamine |
| Other names |
1,5-Diaminopentane, 2-methyl-
2-Methyl-1,5-pentanediamine 2-Methylpentane-1,5-diamine 2-Methylcadaverine 2-methylpentane-1,5-diamine Pentamethylenediamine, 2-methyl- |
| Pronunciation | /ˈwaɪ.æm.iː.ˈdaɪ.əˌmiː.noʊ ˈtuː ˈmɛθ.əlˌpɛn.teɪn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 155-23-1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `CC(CN)CCN` |
| Beilstein Reference | 3586564 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:17327 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL157492 |
| ChemSpider | 15320 |
| DrugBank | DB11360 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 07a1cbe2-0b94-4fba-9bfb-1e1bc9b87222 |
| EC Number | 211-406-8 |
| Gmelin Reference | 85597 |
| KEGG | C16519 |
| MeSH | D06IN02RY4 |
| PubChem CID | 56877074 |
| RTECS number | MI7700000 |
| UNII | 09T2F64VEC |
| UN number | UN3335 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H16N2 |
| Molar mass | 130.23 g/mol |
| Appearance | White solid |
| Odor | amine-like |
| Density | 0.857 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
| Solubility in water | soluble |
| log P | -1.2 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.17 hPa (at 20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 10.75 |
| Basicity (pKb) | pKb = 3.4 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -70.7·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.462 |
| Viscosity | 3.15 mPa·s (25 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.23 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 164.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | −63.8 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4537.7 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS05,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H314 |
| Precautionary statements | P261-P280-P305+P351+P338-P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-3-0 |
| Flash point | 67 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 280 °C |
| Explosive limits | 1.8–10.0% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 1870 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Oral rat 1870 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | SJ8575000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 1 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | IDLH: 100 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Cadaverine
Putrescine 1,5-Diaminopentane 2-Methylpentane Melamine |
