Methanediamine

Methanediamine is the simplest diamine. Its chemical formula is CH2(NH2)2. Although methanediamine can only exists transiently in solution, its hydrochloride has been used in chemical synthesis since 1914. The hydrochloride is useful for the synthesis of primary amides from amino acids.

Methylamine and ammonia will react to form methanediamine when exposed under energetic electrons, just like conditions similar to cold molecular clouds. Since methanediamine is the simplest molecule to contain the N-C-N moiety, it could be a vital intermediate in the abiogenesis of heterocyclic compounds that contain the N-C-N moiety, such as nucleobases.