N-Methylmorpholine
The N-methylated morpholine supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as NMM, a widely used tertiary-amine catalyst for polyurethane foam and a base for pharmaceutical peptide coupling, and the precursor to NMMO used in Lyocell fibre production — exported from Indonesia as a liquid in drums or ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What N-Methylmorpholine is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a non-nucleophilic tertiary-amine catalyst and base, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
N-Methylmorpholine is morpholine with its secondary ring nitrogen capped by a methyl group, turning it into a tertiary amine. With no N–H bond left, the nitrogen cannot act as a nucleophile or hydrogen-bond donor the way morpholine can, but it remains a useful, moderately strong, sterically accessible base — exactly the profile needed in catalysis and acid-scavenging chemistry.
At room temperature it is a colourless to pale-yellow, hygroscopic, highly flammable liquid with a fishy amine odour, fully miscible with water and most organic solvents. Its low flash point sets it apart from morpholine itself and governs much of how it is stored and handled.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
NMM's two largest uses are as a tertiary-amine catalyst in polyurethane foam manufacture, where it promotes the gelling and blowing reactions without becoming chemically bound into the polymer, and as a base in pharmaceutical peptide-coupling chemistry (the mixed-anhydride and Schotten-Baumann methods). It is also the direct precursor to N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), the solvent used in the Lyocell process for regenerated cellulose fibre.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers N-Methylmorpholine in technical grade (≈99% assay) for polyurethane-catalyst and general industrial use, and high-purity grade (99.5%+) for pharmaceutical peptide-synthesis and NMMO-precursor applications sensitive to colour and trace-impurity content. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How N-Methylmorpholine is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
N-Methylmorpholine is manufactured industrially by the reductive N-methylation of morpholine: morpholine is reacted with methanol and hydrogen over a copper- or nickel-based catalyst, which methylates the ring nitrogen and releases water: morpholine + CH₃OH + H₂ → N-methylmorpholine + 2 H₂O (simplified). Methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate can also be used as the methylating agent in an alternative route.
Why reductive methylation of morpholine is standard
Morpholine itself is produced at substantial industrial scale for its own direct uses, making catalytic N-methylation of morpholine the most direct and well-controlled route to NMM, and the reductive-methanol route in particular avoids the chlorinated or sulfate by-products associated with alkyl-halide methylating agents.
Industries and processes that use it
N-Methylmorpholine is consumed across polyurethane catalysis, pharmaceutical synthesis and fibre-solvent manufacture, where its non-nucleophilic tertiary-amine base is the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Polyurethane Foam Catalyst
Used as a tertiary-amine gelling/blowing catalyst in flexible and rigid polyurethane foam formulations.
Peptide Coupling Base
A standard non-nucleophilic base for the mixed-anhydride and Schotten-Baumann methods used in pharmaceutical peptide and API synthesis.
NMMO Precursor (Lyocell Solvent)
Oxidised to N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), the direct cellulose solvent used in the Lyocell process for regenerated cellulose fibre.
Epoxy & Coating Catalyst
Used as a curing accelerator and acid scavenger in epoxy and coating formulations.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The tertiary, non-nucleophilic ring nitrogen governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways N-Methylmorpholine is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Base-Catalysed Urethane Formation
Coordinates with isocyanate and hydroxyl groups to accelerate the gelling reaction in polyurethane foam without becoming chemically bound into the polymer.
Mixed-Anhydride Activation
Scavenges the acid generated when an activated ester or anhydride is formed during peptide coupling, driving the reaction to completion.
Oxidation to NMMO
Oxidised with hydrogen peroxide to N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, the cellulose-dissolving solvent used in Lyocell fibre spinning.
Quaternisation
Reacts with alkyl halides to form quaternary ammonium salts used as phase-transfer catalysts and specialty surfactant intermediates.
N-Methylmorpholine against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing N-Methylmorpholine for catalysis or peptide synthesis often need a related cyclic amine. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-Methylmorpholine | 109-02-4 | Tertiary cyclic amine | The product on this page — a polyurethane catalyst, peptide-coupling base and NMMO precursor. |
| Morpholine | 110-91-8 | Oxygen-containing cyclic amine | The parent secondary amine N-Methylmorpholine is derived from — see its product page. |
| Piperidine | 110-89-4 | Saturated cyclic amine | A related all-carbon ring amine — see its product page. |
| Piperazine | 110-85-0 | Cyclic diamine | A related cyclic diamine with two ring nitrogens — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than N-Methylmorpholine.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
Harmful if swallowed.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Harmful if inhaled.
Impervious gloves, chemical splash goggles or a face shield, and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame; ground and bond containers during transfer given the very low flash point.
Bond and earth equipment during bulk transfer to control static discharge in a low-flash-point liquid.
Danger — GHS02 flammable and GHS05 corrosive pictograms apply.
This compound is a highly flammable liquid that causes severe skin burns and eye damage, and is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. It must be handled with impervious gloves, splash-proof eye protection, suitable respiratory protection and kept well away from heat, sparks and open flame given its very low flash point. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, strong oxidizing agents and strong acids, in tightly closed original packaging, bonded and earthed during transfer given the low flash point. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, colour and water content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of N-Methylmorpholine leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of N-Methylmorpholine shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is N-Methylmorpholine used for?+
02What is the CAS number of N-Methylmorpholine?+
03How is N-Methylmorpholine made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is N-Methylmorpholine hazardous?+
06Why is N-Methylmorpholine used instead of morpholine as a catalyst?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other cyclic amines as well?+
Need N-Methylmorpholine on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.