(1; R = Me) [62393-45-7] C4H11NO (MW 89.14) InChI = 1S/C4H11NO/c1-5(2)4-6-3/h4H2,1-3H3 InChIKey = YFTNTMQKPLVKFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (2; R = Bu) [56275-84-4] C7H17NO (MW 131.22) InChI = 1S/C7H17NO/c1-4-5-6-9-7-8(2)3/h4-7H2,1-3H3 InChIKey = HPUIQFXZXVKZBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N (precursor for N,N-dimethyl(methylene)ammonium salts;2, 3 useful for the in situ dimethylaminomethylation of silyl enol ethers to produce β-(N,N-dimethylamino) ketones (Mannich bases)4, 5) Physical Data: (1) bp 67 °C/760 mmHg; (2) bp 128 °C/756 mmHg. Solubility: sol H2O, acetonitrile. Preparative Method: amino ethers (1)3 and (2)6 are prepared from a mixture of dimethylamine (0.5 mol), alcohol (1 mol), and Potassium Carbonate (0.6 mol) at 0 °C. Paraformaldehyde is added after a few min, and the mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature. The product is purified by filtration followed by distillation to give a colorless liquid. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: handle with gloves in a well-ventilated fume hood. Incompatible with acids and acid chlorides. Readily decomposes in water in the presence of acid.