Dimethylethanolamine (DMAE or DMEA) is an organic compound with the formula . It is bifunctional, containing both a tertiary amine and primary alcohol functional groups. It is a colorless viscous liquid. It is used in skin care products for improving skin tone and also taken orally as a nootropic. It is prepared by the ethoxylation of dimethylamine.
Industrial uses
Dimethylaminoethanol is used as a curing agent for polyurethanes and epoxy resins. It is a precursor to other chemicals, such as the nitrogen mustard 2-dimethylaminoethyl chloride. The acrylate ester, dimethylaminoethyl_acrylate is used as a flocculating agent.
Related compounds are used in gas purification, e.g. removal of hydrogen sulfide from sour gas streams.
Nutraceutical uses
The bitartrate salt of DMAE, i.e. N,N-dimethylethanolamine bitartrate, is sold as a dietary supplement. It is a white powder providing 37% DMAE.
Animal tests show possible benefit for improving spatial memory and working memory.
See also
Choline
Diphenhydramine
Doxylamine
Ethanolamine
Meclofenoxate (Centrophenoxine) Orphenadrine