Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine, often abbreviated as DEA or DEOA, is an organic compound with the formula HN(CH2CH2OH)2. Pure diethanolamine is a white solid at room temperature, but its tendencies to absorb water and to supercool[2] mean it is often encountered as a colorless, viscous liquid. Diethanolamine is polyfunctional, being a secondary amine and a diol. Like other organic amines, diethanolamine acts as a weak base. Reflecting the hydrophilic character of the secondary amine and hydroxyl groups, DEA is soluble in water. Amides prepared from DEA are often also hydrophilic. In 2013, the chemical was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B).
Names | |
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IUPAC name
2,2'-aminodiethanol | |
Other names
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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3DMet | |
605315 | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.003.517 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
MeSH | diethanolamine |
PubChem CID |
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RTECS number |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C4H11NO2 | |
Molar mass | 105.137 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Colourless crystals |
Odor | Ammonia odor |
Density | 1.097 g·mL−1 |
Melting point | 28.00 °C; 82.40 °F; 301.15 K |
Boiling point | 271.1 °C; 519.9 °F; 544.2 K |
Miscible | |
log P | -1.761 |
Vapor pressure | <1 Pa (at 20 °C) |
UV-vis (λmax) | 260 nm |
Refractive index (nD) |
1.477 |
Thermochemistry | |
Heat capacity (C) |
137 J·K−1·mol−1 |
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) |
−496.4 – −491.2 kJ·mol−1 |
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) |
−26.548 – −26.498 MJ·kmol−1 |
Hazards | |
Safety data sheet | sciencelab.com |
GHS pictograms | |
GHS Signal word | Danger |
GHS hazard statements |
H302, H315, H318, H373 |
P280, P305+351+338 | |
Flash point | 138 °C (280 °F; 411 K) |
365 °C (689 °F; 638 K) | |
Explosive limits | 1.6–9.8%[1] |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
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NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible) |
None[1] |
REL (Recommended) |
TWA: 3 ppm (15 mg/m3)[1] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
N.D.[1] |
Related compounds | |
Related alkanols |
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Related compounds |
Diethylhydroxylamine |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Infobox references | |
Production
The reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia first produces ethanolamine:
- C2H4O + NH3 → H2NCH2CH2OH
which reacts with a second and third equivalent of ethylene oxide to give DEA and triethanolamine:
- C2H4O + H2NCH2CH2OH → HN(CH2CH2OH)2
- C2H4O + HN(CH2CH2OH)2 → N(CH2CH2OH)3
About 300M kg are produced annually in this way.[3] The ratio of the products can be controlled by changing the stoichiometry of the reactants.[4]
Uses
DEA is used as a surfactant and a corrosion inhibitor. It is used to remove hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from natural gas.
In oil refineries, a DEA in water solution is commonly used to remove hydrogen sulfide from sour gas. It has an advantage over a similar amine, ethanolamine, in that a higher concentration may be used for the same corrosion potential. This allows refiners to scrub hydrogen sulfide at a lower circulating amine rate with less overall energy usage.
DEA is a chemical feedstock used in the production of morpholine.[3][4]
Amides derived from DEA and fatty acids, known as diethanolamides, are amphiphilic.
The reaction of 2-chloro-4,5-diphenyloxazole with DEA gave rise to Ditazole. The reaction of DEA and Isobutyraldehyde with water removed produces an Oxazolidine.
Commonly used ingredients that may contain DEA
DEA is used in the production of diethanolamides, which are common ingredients in cosmetics and shampoos added to confer a creamy texture and foaming action. Consequently, some cosmetics that include diethanolamides as ingredients may contain traces of DEA. Some of the most commonly used diethanolamides include:
- Cocamide DEA
- DEA-Cetyl Phosphate
- DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate
- Lauramide DEA
- Myristamide DEA
- Oleamide DEA
Safety
DEA is a potential skin irritant in workers sensitized by exposure to water-based metalworking fluids.[5] One study showed that DEA inhibits in baby mice the absorption of choline, which is necessary for brain development and maintenance;[6] however, a study in humans determined that dermal treatment for 1 month with a commercially available skin lotion containing DEA resulted in DEA levels that were "far below those concentrations associated with perturbed brain development in the mouse".[7] In a mouse study of chronic exposure to inhaled DEA at high concentrations (above 150 mg/m3), DEA was found to induce body and organ weight changes, clinical and histopathological changes, indicative of mild blood, liver, kidney and testicular systemic toxicity.[8] A 2009 study found that DEA has potential acute, chronic and subchronic toxicity properties for aquatic species.[9]
References
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0208". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- "Akzo-Nobel data sheet" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-08-14.
- Matthias Frauenkron, Johann-Peter M elder, Günther Ruider, Roland Rossbacher, Hartmut Höke “Ethanolamines and Propanolamines” in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002 by Wiley-VCH, Weinheim doi:10.1002/14356007.a10_001
- Klaus Weissermel; Hans-Jürgen Arpe; Charlet R. Lindley; Stephen Hawkins (2003). "Chap. 7. Oxidation Products of Ethylene". Industrial Organic Chemistry. Wiley-VCH. pp. 159–161. ISBN 978-3-527-30578-0.
- Lessmann H, Uter W, Schnuch A, Geier J (2009). "Skin sensitizing properties of the ethanolamines mono-, di-, and triethanolamine. Data analysis of a multicentre surveillance network (IVDK*) and review of the literature". Contact Dermatitis. 60 (5): 243–255. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01506.x. PMID 19397616.
- Study Shows Ingredient Commonly Found In Shampoos May Inhibit Brain Development
- Craciunescu, CN; Niculescu, MD; Guo, Z; Johnson, AR; Fischer, L; Zeisel, SH (2009). "Dose response effects of dermally applied diethanolamine on neurogenesis in fetal mouse hippocampus and potential exposure of humans". Toxicological Sciences. 107 (1): 220–6. doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfn227. PMC 2638646. PMID 18948303.
- Gamer AO, Rossbacher R, Kaufmann W, van Ravenzwaay B (2008). "The inhalation toxicity of di- and triethanolamine upon repeated exposure". Food Chem Toxicol. 46 (6): 2173–83. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2008.02.020. PMID 18420328.
- Libralato G, Volpi Ghirardini A, Avezzù F (2009). "Seawater ecotoxicity of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine". J Hazard Mater. 176 (1–3): 535–9. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.11.062. PMID 20022426.