TRIMETHYLAMINE Meaning and
Definition
-
Trimethylamine is a chemical compound with the molecular formula (CH3)3N, classified as an amine. It is a colorless, highly volatile, and flammable liquid with a distinct odor similar to that of decaying fish. Trimethylamine is often referred to as "fishy odor" due to its characteristic smell.
In terms of its properties, trimethylamine is soluble in water and has a boiling point of approximately 3.2 °C (37.8 °F), making it a volatile substance. It is primarily produced through microbial metabolism in animals, particularly in marine animals such as fish, hence its association with the fishy smell. Trimethylamine is also an important compound in the industrial sector, serving as a precursor in the synthesis of herbicides, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
From a biological standpoint, the presence of trimethylamine is indicative of certain metabolic conditions in humans and animals. The compound is produced by bacteria in the intestine during the breakdown of choline, thus its detection can be used as a marker for certain diseases. Trimethylaminuria, commonly referred to as "fish odor syndrome," is a condition in which an individual's body is unable to properly metabolize trimethylamine, resulting in a noticeable odor in their sweat, urine, and breath.
Overall, trimethylamine is a volatile, fishy-smelling compound with various industrial applications and links to specific metabolic disorders.
Common Misspellings for TRIMETHYLAMINE
- rrimethylamine
- frimethylamine
- grimethylamine
- yrimethylamine
- 6rimethylamine
- 5rimethylamine
- teimethylamine
- tdimethylamine
- tfimethylamine
- ttimethylamine
- t5imethylamine
- t4imethylamine
- trumethylamine
- trjmethylamine
- trkmethylamine
- tromethylamine
- tr9methylamine
- tr8methylamine
- trinethylamine
- trimwthylamine
Etymology of TRIMETHYLAMINE
The word "Trimethylamine" is derived from two parts: "trimethyl-" and "-amine".
The prefix "tri-" indicates three, suggesting that there are three methyl groups (-CH3) attached to the central nitrogen atom.
The term "methyl" comes from the Greek word "methy" meaning "wine" or "spirit". It was later adopted to represent the simplest alkyl group, containing one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms (CH3-).
The suffix "-amine" indicates that it is a derivative of ammonia (NH3), where one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by substituents. In this case, the nitrogen atom in ammonia is bonded to three methyl groups, resulting in the compound trimethylamine (N(CH3)3).
Therefore, the etymology of "Trimethylamine" refers to its chemical structure, specifically indicating that it is an amine compound with three methyl groups.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
