4-Methylmorpholine · NMM · ≥99% commercial and LR grades
N-Methylmorpholine is morpholine with its ring nitrogen fully substituted by a methyl group: a tertiary amine that cannot hydrogen-bond through nitrogen and is a non-nucleophilic, easily removed base. It is the standard base for amide-coupling reactions in peptide and pharmaceutical synthesis, a catalyst for rigid and flexible polyurethane foam, and the direct feedstock for N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), the solvent that dissolves cellulose in Lyocell fibre production. Chelora Amines supplies it worldwide and across India, in UN-specification packaging with a batch-wise COA and SDS.
48.04 + 8.06 + 14.01 + 15.03 + 16.00 = 101.15 g/mol
N-Methylmorpholine, usually shortened to NMM and also called 4-methylmorpholine, is a clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid with a strong, unpleasant fishy odour. It boils at 115–116 °C, freezes at about −66 °C so it never solidifies in ordinary storage, and mixes with water in all proportions.
It is made by N-methylating Morpholine, and methylation changes its role completely: a secondary amine that could react at nitrogen becomes a tertiary amine that can only act as a base or a ligand. Its conjugate-acid pKa of about 7.4 — lower again than morpholine's 8.4 — makes it a genuinely mild, easily washed-out base, which is exactly the property that peptide and amide-coupling chemistry needs.
Beyond synthesis, NMM's largest single use by volume is as the direct precursor to N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), the solvent that dissolves wood pulp cellulose without derivatisation in the Lyocell (Tencel-type) fibre process. Residual morpholine, water and colour are the parameters a specification controls.
| Chemical name | N-Methylmorpholine (4-methylmorpholine) |
| Common synonyms | NMM, 4-methylmorpholine, 1-methyl-4-oxa-... (trivially, N-methylmorpholine) |
| CAS number | 109-02-4 |
| EC / EINECS number | 203-641-6 |
| HS / HSN code | 2933 39 (other N-heterocyclic compounds) |
| Molecular formula | C₅H₁₁NO |
| Molecular weight | 101.15 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Odour | Strong, unpleasant, fish-like |
| Melting point | About −66 °C |
| Boiling point | 115–116 °C |
| Density | About 0.920 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Flash point | About 7 °C (closed cup) |
| Solubility in water | Completely miscible |
| pKa of conjugate acid | About 7.4 at 25 °C |
| UN number | UN 2535, Class 3, subsidiary risk 8, packing group II |
Figures are typical literature values for orientation. Values for the material you order are stated on its Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet.
NMM reacts only as a base or a ligand — it has no N–H to acylate and too much steric and electronic hindrance to be a strong nucleophile. That single property explains almost every use it has.
Neutralises the acid generated by carbodiimide, uronium and phosphonium coupling reagents in peptide and amide bond formation, without attacking the activated ester.
EDC/HOBt + acid + amine, NMM as baseCatalyses the reaction of isocyanates with polyols and water, promoting gelling and blowing in flexible and rigid foam.
R–NCO + polyol, NMM catalyticOxidised with hydrogen peroxide to N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, the cellulose solvent used in Lyocell fibre spinning.
C₅H₁₁NO + H₂O₂ → NMMONeutralises HCl released during acylation and sulfonylation steps without competing for the electrophile.
RCOCl + amine + NMM → amide + NMM·HClReacts with alkyl halides to give quaternary morpholinium salts, phase-transfer catalysts and surfactant intermediates.
C₅H₁₁NO + R–X → R(C₅H₁₁NO)⁺X⁻Its lone pair coordinates to metal centres, giving it minor use as a ligand and process additive in catalytic systems.
coordinating tertiary amineProcess notes. NMM has a flash point of about 7 °C, so it is highly flammable even in cool storage, and it is corrosive by skin and eye contact. Keep it away from ignition sources at all times, dose exothermic couplings with cooling, and keep transfers closed, earthed and under nitrogen.
Discuss your processNMM is made by methylating morpholine, so the specification mainly reflects how completely that step went and how much unreacted morpholine remains.
Morpholine is reacted with a methylating agent — typically formaldehyde and hydrogen (reductive methylation), or methanol over a catalyst.
Under catalytic conditions the morpholine nitrogen is fully methylated to the tertiary amine, consuming the last N–H.
The reactor stream carries NMM with unreacted morpholine, water and traces of over-alkylated or other by-products.
Distillation removes water and light ends and separates NMM from residual morpholine.
Product is tested for assay, residual morpholine, water and colour, then filled under nitrogen into drums, totes or bulk containers.
Residual morpholine is the impurity that matters most: it reintroduces an N–H into a reaction that was chosen specifically to avoid one, and it can interfere in amide-coupling chemistry by competing at the activated ester. Water matters wherever the coupling or catalytic step is moisture sensitive.
Where a peptide-synthesis specification or a validated process names limits, send them with the enquiry and we will match the batch rather than send the standard cut.
Twelve months in sealed original packing, kept cool, closed and away from every ignition source, is the normal working figure. NMM has a low flash point, so treat storage with the same care as any highly flammable solvent.
Keep drums closed between draws, blanket tanks with nitrogen where you can, and re-check assay, water and colour before a critical batch from older stock. A retained sample of every batch is held here.
Tell us the reaction and the limits that matter and we will confirm the grade. Commercial grade covers most production use; LR and AR grades are available for laboratory, method development and analytical work.
The standard production grade for intermediates, salt formation and general synthesis.
Tighter limits on related amines, water and colour for development and pilot work.
The tightest grade we offer, for analytical method work, standards and QC laboratories.
Batches selected or sourced against limits you name, such as water, related amines or colour.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical specification |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual | Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Assay (NMM) | GC | ≥ 99.0 % w/w |
| Morpholine | GC | ≤ 0.3 % w/w |
| Water | Karl Fischer | ≤ 0.2 % w/w |
| Colour | APHA | ≤ 15 |
Indicative specification for planning. The controlling document is the Certificate of Analysis issued for your batch. If your process needs tighter limits, say so at enquiry stage and we will quote against your specification.
NMM is the tertiary, non-nucleophilic end of this ring family. The comparison that matters most is with morpholine itself, and with the other common non-nucleophilic bases used in synthesis.
| Property | N-Methylmorpholine | Morpholine | Triethylamine | DIPEA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAS number | 109-02-4 | 110-91-8 | 121-44-8 | 7087-68-5 |
| Amine class | Tertiary, cyclic | Secondary, cyclic | Tertiary, open chain | Tertiary, hindered open chain |
| Boiling point | 115–116 °C | 129 °C | 89 °C | 127 °C |
| Flash point | ≈ 7 °C | ≈ 31 °C | ≈ −7 °C | ≈ 21 °C |
| pKa of conjugate acid | ≈ 7.4 | ≈ 8.4 | ≈ 10.7 | ≈ 11.4 |
| Nucleophilicity | Low (tertiary, ring-hindered) | Moderate (has N–H) | Low (tertiary) | Very low (very hindered) |
| Typical outlets | Amide coupling base, PU catalyst, NMMO/Lyocell feed | Boiler treatment, rubber accelerators, pharma intermediates | General base and catalyst | Hindered base for sensitive couplings |
Order by full name and CAS number. State N-Methylmorpholine (or NMM) and CAS 109-02-4 on the enquiry and purchase order. It is easily confused with plain morpholine on a purchase order — the two have different CAS numbers and very different reactivity.
See the full amine rangeAmide and peptide coupling chemistry, polyurethane catalysis and NMMO production for Lyocell fibre account for most of the volume.
The standard base used with EDC, HATU and similar coupling reagents in solution- and solid-phase peptide and API synthesis.
Oxidised to N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, the solvent that dissolves cellulose directly in Lyocell (Tencel-type) fibre spinning.
A gelling and blowing catalyst for flexible and rigid polyurethane foam formulations.
A mild, easily removed base for acylations, sulfonylations and other steps where a stronger or nucleophilic amine would interfere.
Feedstock for quaternary morpholinium salts used as phase-transfer catalysts and surfactant intermediates.
A general-purpose non-nucleophilic base for method development and small-scale synthesis.
If you are mapping a value chain, or looking for the product one step down from where you are, this is where N-Methylmorpholine ends up. Several of these are chemicals we can also source for you.
| Derivative | Made by | End use |
|---|---|---|
| N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) | Oxidation with hydrogen peroxide | Lyocell cellulose fibre solvent |
| Quaternary morpholinium salts | Quaternisation with alkyl halides | Phase-transfer catalysts, surfactants |
| Amide and peptide bonds (as by-product base) | Used stoichiometrically as an acid scavenger in coupling reactions | Peptides, APIs, fine chemicals |
| Polyurethane foam networks | Catalytic use in isocyanate–polyol reactions | Flexible and rigid PU foam |
Looking for one of these rather than the amine itself? Ask us — several sit within our sourcing network, and we can quote the derivative and the raw material together.
Every container carries the Chelora Amines label with product name, net weight, batch number, manufacturing date, UN number and hazard pictograms.
HDPE carboys for lab qualification, pilot batches and low-consumption users.
MS and HDPE drums, the standard production pack, with tamper-evident closures.
Forklift-ready totes with bottom valves for plants drawing material every week.
Bulk loads and ISO tank containers for continuous plants and large campaigns.
Tell us the monthly draw and how you store hazardous liquids, and we will recommend the grade, pack size and delivery schedule. Export consignments are packed in UN-specification drums and totes, palletised and stretch-wrapped, and shipped FOB, CIF or CFR through Nhava Sheva and Mundra.
Plan my supplyN-Methylmorpholine is a highly flammable liquid, with a flash point of only about 7 °C, and it is corrosive to skin and eyes. The notes below are a summary for planning only — work to the Safety Data Sheet supplied with your consignment and to your own site risk assessment.
N-Methylmorpholine is a regulated dangerous good in transport. That is routine for us, but it shapes what we need from you before a first shipment moves.
| Proper shipping name | 4-Methylmorpholine |
| UN number / class | UN 2535 · Class 3, subsidiary risk 8 |
| Packing group | II |
| Labels | Flammable liquid and corrosive labels |
| Modes | Road, rail and sea (IMDG); air movement within dangerous goods quantity limits |
| Segregation | Away from acids, oxidisers, halogens and foodstuffs |
| Packaging | UN-specification drums, carboys and IBC totes, palletised and strapped for export |
We supply business to business only, against verified company credentials, consignee details and a signed end-use declaration, plus any import permit the destination country requires.
Start account opening| Parameter | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid | Complies |
| Assay (NMM) | ≥ 99.0 % w/w | Complies |
| Morpholine | ≤ 0.3 % w/w | Complies |
| Water | ≤ 0.2 % w/w | Complies |
N-Methylmorpholine is checked before dispatch and each consignment leaves with the paperwork your QC, stores and accounts teams need on day one.
The numbers on a Certificate of Analysis are only useful if you know how they were produced. These are the methods behind the figures on ours, and the checks worth repeating at your own goods-inward.
Separates the amine from related amines and residual solvents in one run, and gives both the assay and the impurity profile that matter to your reaction.
An independent check on total amine content, useful as a quick goods-inward confirmation before a drum is released to production.
Water determination, which matters wherever the next step is moisture sensitive or the amine feeds an anhydrous reaction.
A visual platinum–cobalt comparison. A rising colour value is the earliest sign that a pack has been exposed to air or held too long.
Fast confirmation of identity and strength, and a simple way to spot a wrong pack or a contaminated drum.
Gravimetric residue and trace metal checks, which matter for catalytic steps and regulated formulations.
A sample from every dispatched batch is held here, so a query months later can be settled against the original material.
The batch number on the label ties back to the COA, the test record and the supply lot, which is what your auditor will ask to see.
Where your customer or regulator needs an independent result, we can arrange analysis at a NABL-accredited laboratory before dispatch.
Five steps for a first order of N-Methylmorpholine. Repeat orders follow the same route on a schedule that matches your consumption.
Grade, quantity, pack size and delivery location.
We confirm the grade for your process and quote, usually within 24 hours.
The batch is tested and the COA, SDS and invoice details are prepared.
Labelled packs move by road, or in UN-spec packaging for export.
Material reaches your gate and repeat dispatches are scheduled to your usage.
N-Methylmorpholine is a line on a price list and a headache in a warehouse. What separates suppliers is the grade flexibility, the paperwork and the answer you get when something is not routine.
N-Methylmorpholine sits alongside the rest of our amine range, from ethanolamines to fatty amines. Your purchase team raises one enquiry, compares one quote and manages one vendor record instead of six.
Commercial and LR grades are available, so you are not forced to redesign a step around the only grade your supplier happens to carry.
COA, SDS, correct HSN and HS codes, dangerous goods declarations and certificates of origin are prepared with the consignment, not chased afterwards.
Tell us your limits on assay, residual morpholine, water and colour and we quote against them, rather than sending the standard cut and letting your QC find out.
Once we know your monthly draw we hold and release material on a schedule, so you carry less inventory of a hazardous product.
Describe the reaction or formulation rather than the product code and we will tell you which grade fits — and say so plainly when a different amine would serve you better.
Buyers who order N-Methylmorpholine usually source these from the same list. Open any product for its specification, grades and packing, or see the full product range.
Container shipments to buyers on five continents, plus road dispatch inside India. Tell us your country and destination port and we will quote landed terms, transit time and the documentation your customs broker will ask for.
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.
Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Czechia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Türkiye, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and the Caribbean, shipped in UN-specification packaging with full DG documentation.
| Incoterms quoted | EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF and DAP, depending on your destination and preference |
| Load ports | Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with Chennai and Kolkata used for eastbound routings |
| Container options | Full container loads, and consolidated LCL shipments for smaller quantities |
| Typical container fill | Around 80 drums, or roughly 18 to 20 IBC totes, in a 20 ft container |
| Packing for export | UN-specification drums and totes, palletised, strapped and stretch-wrapped, with DG labelling |
| Air freight | Possible for small quantities within dangerous goods limits; most volume moves by sea |
| Payment terms | Advance, irrevocable letter of credit or agreed credit terms for established accounts |
| Before first shipment | Company credentials, end-use declaration and any import permit the destination country requires |
Most delays in quoting N-Methylmorpholine come from a missing line in the enquiry, not from availability. Send these details and a firm price usually comes back the same day.
Not sure of some of it yet? Send what you have. A description of the reaction step and an approximate monthly volume is enough for us to come back with a recommended grade, a pack plan and an indicative price.
Send an enquiryPlain definitions of the words that appear on a N-Methylmorpholine specification, label and shipping document.
Short answers to what purchase, plant and QC teams ask us most about this product. Anything else, ask us directly.
Send the grade, quantity, pack size and your delivery address or destination port. We come back with a price, the documents that go with the batch and a dispatch or shipping plan, usually within 24 hours.