What Is Diethanolamine?
Diethanolamine is an organic compound of a secondary amine and a diol. It is often abbreviated as DEA. It is also known as diolamine, 2,2′-iminodiethanol, iminodiethyl alcohol, etc.
It is a substance that should be handled with care. It is irritating to the skin, causes serious eye damage, and is harmful if swallowed. It may also cause cancer and harm fertility.
Uses of Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine is used as an ingredient in cosmetics and shampoos, detergents and industrial cleaning agents, lubricants in metal processing, paints, pesticides and insecticides, gas absorbents, and metal corrosion inhibitors. It is also widely used as a processing material for rubber, paper, and textiles.
In addition, diethanolamine can be used to remove hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from natural gas. Petroleum refineries commonly use aqueous diethanolamine solutions to remove hydrogen sulfide from acidic gases.
Diethanolamine is superior to monoethanolamine, which has the same corrosion potential, because it can be used at higher concentrations. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide can be cleaned with less energy use required for purification.
Properties of Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine has a melting point of 28°C and a boiling point of 217°C. It is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It is highly water soluble and can be removed by washing with water after reaction. Like most amines, diethanolamine is a weak base.
A diol is a compound with two hydroxy groups in its molecule. The chemical formula of diethanolamine is expressed as C4H11NO2. Its molar mass is 105.14 g/mol and density is 1.090 g/cm3.
Other Information on Diethanolamine
1. Diethanolamine Synthesis
Monoethanolamine can be produced by the reaction of an aqueous solution of ammonia with ethylene oxide. Diethanolamine and triethanolamine can also be synthesized depending on the reaction conditions. The product ratio can be changed by controlling the stoichiometric ratio of the raw materials.
In the reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia, monoethanolamine is formed first. When monoethanolamine reacts with ethylene oxide, Diethanolamine can be formed. Diethanolamine further reacts with ethylene oxide to produce triethanolamine.
2. Reaction of Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine is used as a raw material in the synthesis of morpholine. Diethanolamides are formed from diethanolamine and fatty acids.
Diethanolamine reacts with 2-chloro-4,5-diphenyloxazole to form ditazole. Removal of water and reaction of diethanolamine with isobutyraldehyde yields oxazolidine.
3. Uses of Diethanolamine Derivatives
Diethanolamides derived from diethanolamine and fatty acids are amphiphilic. Coconut fatty acid diethanolamide and lauryldiethanolamine can be used as surfactants. They are commonly used in shampoos and other soaps as ingredients that improve the creamy texture and lather.