What is "methylamine"

Methylamine \Meth`yl*am"ine\ (? or ?), n. (Chem.) See Methyl amine, under Methyl.

n. (context organic compound English) The simplest aliphatic amine, CH₃NH₂, a toxic gas, having many industrial applications.

Methylamine is an organic compound with a formula of CHNH. This colorless gas is a derivative of ammonia, but with one H atom replaced by a methyl group. It is the simplest primary amine. It is sold as a solution in methanol, ethanol, THF, and water, or as the anhydrous gas in pressurized metal containers. Industrially, methylamine is transported in its anhydrous form in pressurized railcars and tank trailers. It has a strong odor similar to fish. Methylamine is used as a building block for the synthesis of many other commercially available compounds.