Use as a fuel additive

N-Methylaniline is a principal component of NMA (monomethylaniline), a non-traditional antiknock agent increasingly used by petroleum refiners and fuel distributors around the world to increase the octane number of gasoline petrol. It is usually added to gasoline in concentration of around 1.3% volume to avoid high gum levels that can cause increased carbon deposits in engine parts[citation needed]. Higher concentrations are permitted by most regulatory agencies if a detergent and a fuel combustion modifier are added to the component to keep gum formation from happening. NMA blended in those concentrations to gasoline / petrol is not more toxic than the hundreds of chemicals that compose this fuel.

Policies on blending NMA in gasoline

China

China has banned the use of most chemical gasoline additives, including NMA, in gasoline standard directive GB17930-2013[4] dated Dec. 18 2013, which states that “Additives used in gasoline for motor vehicles should not contain recognised harmful substances and should be used by following up with the recommended safe dosage. Chemicals, such as methylal, aniline-type compounds, halogens and those containing phosphorus and silicon, etc. should not intentionally be added in gasoline.”

United States

N-Methylaniline as is (neat) does not appear on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) List of Registered Gasoline Additives. However, registration can be obtained at higher concentration which maximum authorized dosage depends on a suitable detergent and an effective fuel combustion modifier added to this component.

Fuel additives in the United States are regulated under section 211 of the Clean Air Act (as amended in January 1995). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the registration of all fuel additives which are commercially distributed for use in highway motor vehicles in the United States, and may require testing and ban harmful additives. The EPA also regularly reviews the health and net economic benefits of Clean Air Act policies. The act also requires deposit control additives (DCAs) be added to all gasolines. This type of additive is a detergent additive that acts as a cleansing agent in small passages in the carburetor or fuel injectors. This in turn serves to ensure a consistent air and fuel mixture that will contribute to better gas mileage.

Europe

It appears that only one NMA based product for use as an octane enhancer is registered with ECHA / REACH. Because it is not an oxygenate this component does not appear on the list of recommended oxygenates in European Union (EU) petrol standards. Referring to EU EN 228:2012 and Directive 2009/30/EC, Automotive Fuels of Unleaded Petrol. Requirements and Test Methods.

Worldwide Fuel Charter

Because it is not an oxygenate NMA does not appear on the list of recommended oxygenates under category 4 of the Worldwide Fuel Charter published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), which refers to emission standards for unleaded gasoline for “markets with advanced requirements for emission control.” Under policies that are specific to those countries NMA is banned in China and Russia. Most other countries follow the environmental rules of registration of the United States and Europe for the use of this component as an octane enhancer in gasoline / petrol.