Triethanolamine
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
2-[Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol
| |
| Preferred IUPAC name
2,2',2"-Nitrilotri(ethan-1-ol) | |
| Other names
2,2',2"-Nitrilotriethanol
2,2′,2″-Trihydroxytriethylamine TEA TELA TEOA Triethylolamine Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine Trolamine | |
| Properties | |
| C6H15NO3 (OHCH2CH2)3N | |
| Molar mass | 149.190 g/mol |
| Appearance | Viscous colorless liquid/solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.1242 g/cm3 (20 °C) |
| Melting point | 21.6 °C (70.9 °F; 294.8 K) |
| Boiling point | 335.4 °C (635.7 °F; 608.5 K) |
| Miscible | |
| Solubility | Reacts with acids Miscible with acetone, chloroform, ethanol, isopropanol, methanol Immiscible with benzene, CCl4, diethyl ether, heptane, petroleum ether |
| Vapor pressure | 3.59·10-6 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 7.74 |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
−665.7 – −662.7 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | 179 °C (354 °F; 452 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
5,530 mg/kg (rat, oral) 5,846 mg/kg (mouse, oral) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Ethanolamine Diethanolamine |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Triethanolamine or trolamine (abbreviated as TEOA or TELA, but rarer TEA, which is more often used for triethylamine) is a viscous organic compound that is both a tertiary amine and an alcohol (a triol to be exact). It has the formula (OHCH2CH2)3N.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Triethanolamine is a strong base and readily reacts with acids. In the presence of water, it will readily absorb carbon dioxide from air to form its corresponding carbonate and bicarbonate salts.
Physical
Triethanolamine is a colorless odorless viscous liquid, miscible with many organic solvents. Degraded samples appear yellowish.
Availability
Triethanolamine is sold by chemical suppliers.
Triethanolamine is found in many OTC products, like sunscreen lotions, liquid laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, general cleaners, hand sanitizers, polishes, etc. However, there is too little TEA in these products to be a viable source.
TEOA is listed under Schedule 3, part B of the Chemical Weapons Convention as it can be used in the manufacture of HN3 nitrogen mustard. Suspicious transactions may be monitored.
Preparation
Triethanolamine is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia. The reaction also produces ethanolamine and diethanolamine. The ratio of the products can be controlled by changing the stoichiometry of the reactants.
Projects
- Carbon dioxide scrubber
- Synthesis of trolnitrate
- Make copper-TEOA complexes
- Complexing agent in amateur photography and electroless plating
Handling
Safety
Triethanolamine is irritant and may cause allergies.
Storage
Triethanolamine should be kept in closed plastic or glass bottles.
Disposal
Should be mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated.
