N,N-Diethylethanolamine
The tertiary diethyl alkanolamine supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the key intermediate behind the local anaesthetic procaine, a gas-treating amine, and a corrosion inhibitor for steam and condensate lines — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What N,N-Diethylethanolamine is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its central role as the amine half of procaine, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
N,N-Diethylethanolamine carries a tertiary amine with two ethyl groups alongside a terminal hydroxyl group. The bulkier ethyl substituents, relative to the methylated alkanolamines in this range, give the nitrogen a somewhat more hindered, more lipophilic character while retaining the same clean, N–H-free basicity and the independently reactive hydroxyl terminus.
At room temperature it is a colourless liquid with a mild amine odour, fully miscible with water and most organic solvents. It is handled with the solvent-class and corrosivity precautions typical of tertiary alkanolamines.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
N,N-Diethylethanolamine's best-known role is as the precursor to procaine, a widely used local anaesthetic, where its hydroxyl is esterified with para-aminobenzoic acid to give the finished drug. Solutions of the parent amine and its relatives absorb carbon dioxide and are used in gas treating; it is also used in steam and condensate lines to neutralise carbonic acid and scavenge dissolved oxygen as a corrosion inhibitor, and as the precursor to DEAE-cellulose, a widely used ion-exchange resin in chromatography.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers N,N-Diethylethanolamine in technical grade (≈98% assay) for standard corrosion-inhibitor and gas-treating use, and high-purity grade (99%+) for pharmaceutical-intermediate synthesis sensitive to colour and trace-impurity content. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How N,N-Diethylethanolamine is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
N,N-Diethylethanolamine is manufactured by reacting diethylamine with ethylene oxide: (C₂H₅)₂NH + C₂H₄O → (C₂H₅)₂NCH₂CH₂OH. An alternative route proceeds by nucleophilic substitution of diethylamine with 2-chloroethanol, displacing chloride to give the same product. The crude amine is purified by fractional distillation to the required assay before packing.
Why the ethylene oxide route is preferred
Direct ethoxylation of diethylamine with ethylene oxide is continuous, scalable and avoids the stoichiometric chloride waste stream generated by the 2-chloroethanol route, which is why it dominates commercial manufacture of this grade.
Industries and processes that use it
N,N-Diethylethanolamine is consumed by pharmaceutical-intermediate, gas-treating and corrosion-inhibitor manufacture, with secondary demand from chromatography-resin chemistry. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Procaine Local Anaesthetic Precursor
Its hydroxyl group is esterified with para-aminobenzoic acid to give procaine, a widely used local anaesthetic.
Gas Treating Amine
Aqueous solutions absorb carbon dioxide, giving the compound and its relatives a role in acid-gas treating.
Steam & Condensate Corrosion Inhibitor
Neutralises carbonic acid and scavenges dissolved oxygen in steam and condensate lines, protecting boiler and pipeline steel.
Ion-Exchange Resin Precursor
A precursor to DEAE-cellulose, a widely used ion-exchange resin in protein and nucleic-acid chromatography.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The tertiary amine's basicity and the independent hydroxyl group govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways N,N-Diethylethanolamine is converted into a finished intermediate or used directly.
Esterification to Procaine
The hydroxyl group is esterified with para-aminobenzoic acid (or its activated derivative) to give procaine directly.
Carbamate / Carbonate Formation with CO₂
The tertiary amine reversibly absorbs carbon dioxide in aqueous solution, forming a carbamate-type species, the basis of its gas-treating role.
Acid Neutralisation
Neutralises carbonic acid formed from dissolved CO₂ in steam and condensate systems, raising pH to reduce corrosion.
Etherification to DEAE Functionality
Reacts with cellulose under alkaline conditions to introduce the diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) functional group, giving the ion-exchange resin.
N,N-Diethylethanolamine against other alkanolamines we supply
Buyers sourcing this tertiary alkanolamine often need a related secondary or methylated alkanolamine for a parallel step. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| N,N-Diethylethanolamine | 100-37-8 | Tertiary alkanolamine | The product on this page — the diethylated ethanolamine in our range, the precursor to procaine. |
| N,N-Dimethylethanolamine | 108-01-0 | Tertiary alkanolamine | The dimethylated relative, used in polyurethane and epoxy curing — see its product page. |
| N-Methylethanolamine | 109-83-1 | Secondary alkanolamine | The mono-methylated relative, used in gas treating and coatings — see its product page. |
| Triisopropanolamine | 122-20-3 | Tertiary alkanolamine | A related tertiary alkanolamine used chiefly as a cement additive — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than N,N-Diethylethanolamine.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Flammable liquid and vapour.
Harmful if swallowed.
Harmful in contact with skin.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Harmful if inhaled.
Impervious gloves, chemical splash goggles or a face shield, and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS05 corrosive and GHS07 harmful pictograms apply.
This compound is a flammable, corrosive liquid; it causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause an allergic skin reaction, and is harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. It must be handled with impervious gloves, splash-proof eye protection and suitable respiratory protection in a well-ventilated area, kept away from open flames and other ignition sources. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from open flames and other ignition sources, in tightly closed original packaging, segregated from strong oxidizing agents and strong acids. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, colour and water content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of N,N-Diethylethanolamine leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by GC), colour and water content, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is N,N-Diethylethanolamine used for?+
02What is the CAS number of N,N-Diethylethanolamine?+
03How is N,N-Diethylethanolamine made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is N,N-Diethylethanolamine hazardous?+
06How does this relate to procaine?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other alkanolamines as well?+
Need N,N-Diethylethanolamine on spec, on time?
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