Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

11:49
Synthesis of Soft Polysiloxane-urea Elastomers for Intraocular Lens Application
Published on: March 8, 2019
Contact allergy to oleamidopropyl dimethylamine
Contact Dermatitis
|November 1, 1984
Summary
Contact allergy to oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, a cationic emulsifier, was identified in three patients using body lotion. Researchers suggest this hypersensitivity may be more common than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- Contact allergy is a significant concern in dermatology, often linked to ingredients in personal care products.
- Cationic emulsifiers are widely used in cosmetic formulations for their unique properties.
Observation:
- Three patients presented with contact allergy attributed to oleamidopropyl dimethylamine.
- The causative agent was consistently found in a specific brand of body lotion used by all affected individuals.
Findings:
- Patch testing confirmed allergic contact dermatitis to oleamidopropyl dimethylamine.
- Recommended diagnostic patch test concentrations are 0.1% and 0.5% in water, with caution advised for higher levels due to potential irritant reactions.
Implications:
- This study highlights oleamidopropyl dimethylamine as a potential contact allergen.
- Increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for this emulsifier are recommended among dermatologists and allergists.
- Further research may be warranted to determine the prevalence of oleamidopropyl dimethylamine hypersensitivity in the general population.
Related Concept Videos
Allergic Reactions
Overview
Amides to Amines: LiAlH4 Reduction
Amide reduction with strong reducing agents like lithium aluminum hydride proceeds through a nucleophilic acyl substitution to form amines. Primary, secondary, and tertiary amides yield primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, respectively.
Amide reduction requires two equivalents of the reducing agent, acting as a source of hydride ions. As shown in the figure, the reaction is initiated with a nucleophilic attack by the hydride ion at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate.
Amide reduction requires two equivalents of the reducing agent, acting as a source of hydride ions. As shown in the figure, the reaction is initiated with a nucleophilic attack by the hydride ion at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate.
2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2
Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.
Physical Properties of Amines
Amines with low molecular weight are usually gaseous at room temperature, while those with high molecular weight are liquid or solids in nature. Usually, low molecular weight amines have a rotten fish-like smell. Diamines typically have a pungent smell. For instance, cadaverine and putrescine, depicted in Figure 1, are two molecules responsible for decaying tissue.
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization or ADMET polymerization involves cross-metathesis of terminal dienes, such as 1,8-nonadiene, to give linear unsaturated polymer and ethylene. As ADMET is a reversible process, the formed ethylene gas must be removed from the reaction mixture to complete the polymerization process.
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...

