Methanediamine
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Methanediamine is the simplest geminal diamine. Its chemical formula is CH2(NH2)2, and its structure consists of two amino groups on a central carbon atom. Although methanediamine only exists transiently in solution,[2] its hydrochloride salt has been used in chemical synthesis since 1914.[3] The hydrochloride is useful for the synthesis of primary amides from amino acids.[4]
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| Names | |
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| Other names
Diaminomethane Methylenediamine | |
| Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol) |
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| 1696889 | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| EC Number |
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| 163933 | |
PubChem CID |
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| UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| CH6N2 | |
| Molar mass | 46.073 g·mol−1 |
| 1.72 D[1] | |
| Related compounds | |
Related compounds |
methylamine ethylenediamine aminomethanol methanediol |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Possible relevance to primordial chemistry
Methylamine and ammonia will react to form methanediamine when exposed under energetic electrons, just like conditions similar to cold molecular clouds.[2] Since methanediamine is the simplest molecule to contain the N-C-N moiety, it could be a vital intermediate in the abiogenesis of heterocyclic compounds that contain the N-C-N moiety, such as nucleobases.[2]
