Diethylenetriamine
The second member of the ethyleneamine family supplied by Chelora Chemicals — a common epoxy-resin curing agent and the chelating backbone of pentetic acid — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Diethylenetriamine is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its place as the second member of the ethyleneamine family, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Diethylenetriamine carries three nitrogen atoms along a chain of two ethylene bridges: two primary amine termini flanking a central secondary amine. All three nitrogens are nucleophilic and basic, and together they form a tridentate chelating unit capable of binding a metal ion through three coordination sites at once — considerably more strongly than ethylenediamine's two-site chelation.
At room temperature it is a colourless, hygroscopic, viscous liquid with an ammoniacal odour, fully miscible with water. It readily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from air, so it is handled and stored with the same closed-system precautions used across the ethyleneamine family.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Diethylenetriamine's largest single application is as a common curing agent for epoxy resins in adhesives and thermoset formulations, where its three reactive amine sites crosslink epoxide groups into a rigid network. It also serves as the structural backbone of pentetic acid (DTPA), an important chelating agent, and acts as a tridentate ligand in coordination chemistry more broadly. In the oil and gas industry it is used in acid-gas extraction processes, and it has specialty roles sensitising nitromethane and in the Hydyne rocket propellant formulation.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Diethylenetriamine in technical grade (≈99% assay) for standard epoxy-curing and acid-gas extraction use, and high-purity grade (99.5%+) for chelating-agent synthesis sensitive to colour and water content. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Diethylenetriamine 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.
Diethylenetriamine arises as a controlled co-product of the industrial process that manufactures ethylenediamine: 1,2-dichloroethane is reacted with ammonia under pressure, and a portion of the resulting ethylenediamine reacts further with a second equivalent of dichloroethane and ammonia to build the three-nitrogen chain. The mixture of ethyleneamines is separated by fractional distillation, with the feed ratios and reaction conditions tuned to control how much of each homologue forms.
Why the EDC/ammonia route is favoured at scale
Because the same feedstock stream yields the entire ethyleneamine family — ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine and tetraethylenepentamine — and each has its own established commercial market, the overall process economics are favourable despite the multi-step distillation needed to separate them.
Industries and processes that use it
Diethylenetriamine is consumed overwhelmingly by epoxy-curing-agent manufacture, with secondary demand from chelating-agent synthesis and acid-gas extraction. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Epoxy Resin Curing Agent
A common curing agent for epoxy resins in adhesives and thermoset formulations, crosslinking epoxide groups via its three reactive amine sites.
Pentetic Acid (DTPA) Chelating Backbone
Forms the structural backbone of pentetic acid (DTPA), an important chelating agent used across industrial and medical chemistry.
Acid-Gas Extraction
Used in the oil and gas industry in acid-gas extraction processes, drawing on its multiple basic nitrogen sites.
Specialty Chemical Applications
Used to sensitise nitromethane and as a component of the Hydyne rocket propellant formulation, among other specialty roles.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The three nucleophilic nitrogen sites govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Diethylenetriamine is converted into a finished intermediate or used directly.
Epoxide Ring-Opening (Curing)
Each of the three amine sites opens an epoxide ring in turn, crosslinking epoxy resin into a rigid thermoset network.
Carboxymethylation to DTPA
Reaction with chloroacetic acid or formaldehyde/cyanide carboxymethylates the available N–H positions to build pentetic acid (DTPA).
Tridentate Metal Chelation
The three nitrogens together coordinate a metal ion through three donor sites at once, giving stronger binding than the bidentate ethylenediamine.
Chain Extension to Higher Ethyleneamines
Under the same process conditions used in its own manufacture, diethylenetriamine can react further with dichloroethane and ammonia to build triethylenetetramine and beyond.
Diethylenetriamine against the other members of the ethyleneamine chain we supply
Buyers sourcing diethylenetriamine for epoxy curing often need a shorter or longer-chain ethyleneamine for a different cure profile. A quick reference to the full homologous series in our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diethylenetriamine | 111-40-0 | Triamine (3 N) | The product on this page — the second member of the ethyleneamine family, a common epoxy curing agent. |
| Ethylenediamine | 107-15-3 | Diamine (2 N) | The founding member of the chain — see its product page. |
| Triethylenetetramine | 112-24-3 | Tetramine (4 N) | The next member of the chain, used as an epoxy crosslinker — see its product page. |
| Tetraethylenepentamine | 112-57-2 | Pentamine (5 N) | The longest-chain member we supply, used as an epoxy hardener — 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 Diethylenetriamine.
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.
Harmful if swallowed.
Harmful in contact with skin.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Impervious gloves, chemical splash goggles or a face shield are the baseline for routine handling.
Use in a well-ventilated area given the compound's corrosivity and ammoniacal odour.
Avoid any release to drains or waterways as a general amine-handling precaution.
Danger — GHS05 corrosive and GHS07 harmful pictograms apply.
This compound causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause an allergic skin reaction, and is harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin. It must be handled with impervious gloves and splash-proof eye protection in a well-ventilated area. 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 in tightly closed original packaging, protected from moisture and atmospheric carbon dioxide given its strongly hygroscopic tendency, and 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 Diethylenetriamine leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration), 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 Diethylenetriamine used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Diethylenetriamine?+
03How is Diethylenetriamine made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Diethylenetriamine hazardous?+
06How does Diethylenetriamine fit in the ethyleneamine family?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply the other ethyleneamines as well?+
Need Diethylenetriamine on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.