SEARCH Articles Figures Tables Abstraction of a proton from water by methylamine. The amines are organic derivatives of ammonia. Methylamine, the simplest amine, acts as a base in water by accepting a proton, thereby increasing OH l. [Publishers Imprint] See Also: Abstraction of a proton from water by methylamine. The amines are organic derivatives of ammonia. Methylamine, the simplest amine, acts as a base in water by accepting a proton, thereby increasing OH l.