N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide: Properties & Lab Guide

N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide is a fatty acid-derived amide compound featuring a dimethylaminopropyl head group that confers cationic character and surface-active properties relevant to a broad range of research and formulation applications.

Chemical Name

N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide

SKU

C1043312

Functional Class

Fatty acid amide / tertiary amine

Key Structural Features

C8 acyl chain linked via amide bond to a 3-(dimethylamino)propyl group

Charge Character

Tertiary amine; protonatable to cationic form under acidic conditions

Primary Research Interest

Surfactancy, lipid-like self-assembly, and potential delivery vehicle research

Chemical Identity and Structure

N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide (Aladdin SKU: C1043312) belongs to the class of fatty acid amides in which an octanoyl (C8) acyl group is connected via a secondary amide bond to a propylamine spacer bearing a terminal dimethylamino group. This bifunctional architecture imparts both hydrophobic and hydrophilic character, making the molecule amphiphilic. The dimethylamino terminus is a tertiary amine that can be protonated under mildly acidic conditions (pH < ~8), generating a positively charged species. This pH-responsive ionisation is exploited in applications where controlled surface charge or endosomal escape is desirable.

The molecular formula can be derived from its IUPAC name: the octanoyl chain contributes eight carbons, the amide nitrogen is shared, and the dimethylaminopropyl arm adds three methylene units plus the dimethylamino group. Researchers should confirm the exact molecular weight, purity, and spectral data from the Aladdin Certificate of Analysis supplied with each lot.

Physicochemical Properties and Solubility

As an amphiphilic molecule, N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide is expected to be soluble in common polar organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and chloroform. Aqueous solubility will depend strongly on pH: protonation of the dimethylamino group at acidic to near-neutral pH enhances hydrophilicity and water solubility, whereas at higher pH the neutral form may show reduced aqueous solubility and a tendency for micelle or vesicle formation above its critical aggregation concentration.

When preparing stock solutions, it is advisable to dissolve the compound first in a miscible organic solvent (e.g., ethanol or DMSO) and then dilute into aqueous buffer. Prepare fresh working solutions where possible, and verify clarity or aggregation state by dynamic light scattering if self-assembly behaviour is relevant to the experiment. Exact physicochemical parameters (melting point, logP, pKa) should be confirmed from the product Certificate of Analysis or peer-reviewed sources, as Aladdin does not publish calculated estimates as specifications.

Handling, Storage, and Safety Guidelines

Personal Protective Equipment: Handle N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide in a well-ventilated fume hood. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment including nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat. The dimethylaminopropyl moiety can be a mild skin and mucous membrane irritant; avoid direct contact and inhalation of dust or aerosols.

Storage: Store the compound in a tightly sealed container, protected from light and moisture, at the temperature indicated on the product label or Certificate of Analysis. In the absence of specific manufacturer guidance, storage at 2–8 °C or room temperature under inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) is a standard precaution for moisture-sensitive amines. Check the lot-specific CoA for confirmed storage conditions.

Waste Disposal: Dispose of waste material in accordance with local, national, and institutional regulations for chemical waste. Do not pour down the drain without consulting your institution's Environmental Health and Safety office.

Emergency: In case of skin or eye contact, flush immediately with copious water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by Aladdin for comprehensive hazard information.

Research Applications

The combination of a medium-chain fatty acid amide and a protonatable tertiary amine in N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide positions this compound as a useful building block and tool reagent in several research domains:

• Surfactancy and colloid science: The amphiphilic structure supports micelle formation, and the compound can be investigated as a model cationic surfactant for studies of critical micelle concentration, aggregation number, and interfacial tension.
• Lipid-like nanoparticle research: Dimethylaminopropyl amide motifs are structurally related to ionisable lipid components explored in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation research. This compound may serve as a reference standard or model ionisable lipid in mechanistic studies.
• Antimicrobial research: Fatty acid amides with cationic head groups have been explored for membrane-disrupting antimicrobial activity; this compound may serve as a pharmacophore analogue in structure–activity relationship (SAR) investigations.
• Organic synthesis: The compound can function as an intermediate or building block for the synthesis of more complex amide or amine-containing molecules.

Researchers should conduct appropriate biological and physicochemical assays to confirm activity and suitability for any specific application, as published data specifically on this compound may be limited.

Quality, Purity, and Procurement Guidance

Aladdin Scientific supplies N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide under SKU C1043312. Each lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) detailing purity (typically assessed by HPLC or NMR), appearance, and lot-specific analytical data. Researchers are advised to:

• Request and review the CoA before use, confirming purity meets the requirements of the intended assay.
• For highly sensitive biological assays, consider additional in-house characterisation such as LC-MS to confirm identity and assess trace impurities.
• Store the CoA and SDS on file for regulatory compliance and laboratory records.
• Contact Aladdin Scientific technical support for custom quantity requirements, bulk pricing, or application-specific questions regarding C1043312.

Procurement teams should note that reagent grade and purity specifications should be matched to the application: synthetic chemistry may tolerate lower purity thresholds than cell-based or in vivo assays. Always specify the required purity grade at the time of order.

Frequently asked questions

What solvents are recommended for dissolving N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide?

The compound is expected to dissolve readily in polar organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, DMSO, and chloroform. For aqueous applications, dissolve first in a water-miscible organic solvent and dilute into the desired buffer at the working pH. Solubility in water is enhanced at acidic pH where the dimethylamino group is protonated.

Is N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide suitable for lipid nanoparticle formulation research?

The compound shares structural features with ionisable lipid components used in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) research, specifically a protonatable amine head group and a hydrophobic acyl chain. It may serve as a model compound or reference material in mechanistic LNP studies. However, researchers should evaluate its specific physicochemical and biological performance in their own formulation systems, as published LNP data for this exact compound may be limited.

How should N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide be stored to maintain stability?

Store the compound in a tightly sealed, light-protected container under dry conditions, at the temperature specified on the product label or Certificate of Analysis. In the absence of specific guidance, storage under inert gas (nitrogen or argon) at 2–8 °C is a prudent precaution for amine-containing compounds. Always consult the lot-specific CoA and SDS for authoritative storage recommendations.

What is the charge state of N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide at physiological pH?

The dimethylamino group is a tertiary amine with a pKa that is typically in the range of 8–10 for similar structures, meaning that at physiological pH (~7.4) a proportion of molecules will carry a positive charge. The exact pKa of this specific compound should be determined experimentally or sourced from validated physicochemical databases, as calculated values can vary. This ionisation behaviour is relevant to membrane interactions and self-assembly properties.

References

1. Aladdin Scientific. Product Certificate of Analysis for N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide, SKU C1043312. Shanghai: Aladdin Scientific. [Lot-specific document supplied with product.]
2. Aladdin Scientific. Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for N-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)octanamide, SKU C1043312. [Available upon request or on product page.]
3. Koynova R, Tenchov B. Cationic lipids: molecular structure/transfection activity relationships and interactions with biomembranes. Soft Matter. 2009;5(17):3187–3200. doi:10.1039/b901661f
4. Kulkarni JA, Cullis PR, van der Meel R. Lipid Nanoparticles Enabling Gene Therapies: From Concepts to Clinical Utility. Nucleic Acid Ther. 2018;28(3):146–157. doi:10.1089/nat.2018.0721

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.