A useful biological buffer2-Amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol is used to make surfactants, vulcanization accelerators and as a biological buffer. It acts as an absorbent for acidic gases and emulsifying agent for cosmetics, mineral oil, leather dressings, textile specialties and cleaning compounds. It is also used in hair sprays. It acts as a buffer for the determination of alkaline phosphatase activity and spacer in isotachophoresis of proteins. It serves as a reaction buffer for enzymes with an activity in the basic pH range such as alkaline phosphatase. Further, it is used in the preparation of 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-oxazolidin-2-one.