Diethanolamine (DEA)
Diethanolamine, more typically referred to as DEA, is not to be confused with diethyl amine (also sometimes referred to as DEA). Diethanolamine is one of several ethanolamines produced commercially via the reaction of aqueous ammonia with ethylene oxide.
Of the nearly 1.3 billion pounds of ethanolamines produced in the United States each year, about 33% are used in detergents. Another 20% are used in gas purification. Diethanolamine is also commonly used as an intermediate in the manufacture of cosmetics.
In its purest form, diethanolamine is a colorless liquid having a slight ammonia odor above its melting point. At room temperature, it is a white, crystalline solid.
| Molecular Weight | 105.14 g/mole |
| Formula | NH(CH2CH2OH)2 |
| CAS # | 111-42-2 |
| Other Synonyms | 2,2’-imino-diethanolamine 2,2’-dihydroxy-dethylamine |
| Melting Point | 82.47 °F (28.04 °C) |
| Boiling Point | 516.07 °F (268.93 °C) |
| Density | 9.0629 lb/gal (1.0860 gm/cm3) at 100 °F |
| Vapor Pressure | <0.01 mmHg at 100 °F |
| Viscosity | 199.3 cP at 40 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.1020 BTU/hr-ft-F (0.1764 W/m-C) at 40 °C |
| Critical Temperature | 827.40 °F (441.89 °C) |
| Critical Pressure | 24,527 mm Hg (32.27 atm) |
| Critical Volume | 0.0532 ft3/lb (0.0033 m3/kg) |