N,N-Dimethylethanolamine
The tertiary alkanolamine supplied by Chelora Chemicals — a sour-gas-treating amine and curing agent for polyurethane and epoxy systems, with its acrylate ester a cationic flocculant — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What N,N-Dimethylethanolamine is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its place as a fully N-methylated tertiary alkanolamine, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
N,N-Dimethylethanolamine carries a tertiary amine (no N–H bonds, both nitrogen positions methylated) alongside a terminal hydroxyl group. With no N–H to compete, the nitrogen is a clean, sterically accessible base and nucleophile, while the hydroxyl remains independently reactive — a combination that makes the molecule useful both as a catalytic base in its own right and as a building block whose hydroxyl can be further functionalised.
At room temperature it is a colourless, viscous liquid with a fishy, ammoniacal odour, fully miscible with water and most polar organic solvents. It is handled with the solvent-class and corrosivity precautions typical of tertiary alkanolamines.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Related tertiary alkanolamines in this structural class are used in gas treating to remove hydrogen sulfide from sour gas streams; N,N-dimethylethanolamine itself is widely used as a curing agent and accelerator for polyurethane foams and epoxy resin systems, where its tertiary amine catalyses the relevant cure reactions. It also serves as a precursor to nitrogen mustard-type compounds in specialty chemistry, and its acrylate ester (2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate, DMAEA) is a well-known cationic monomer used to make flocculating polymers for water treatment.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers N,N-Dimethylethanolamine in technical grade (≈98% assay) for standard polyurethane and epoxy catalyst use, and high-purity grade (99%+) for specialty monomer and pharmaceutical-adjacent applications sensitive to colour and trace-impurity content. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How N,N-Dimethylethanolamine 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-Dimethylethanolamine is manufactured by ethoxylating dimethylamine with ethylene oxide: (CH₃)₂NH + C₂H₄O → (CH₃)₂NCH₂CH₂OH. The reaction is run under controlled temperature and pressure to favour the mono-ethoxylated product, and the crude amine is purified by fractional distillation to the required assay before packing.
Why the ethoxylation route is preferred
Direct ethoxylation of dimethylamine with ethylene oxide is continuous, scalable and gives high conversion with straightforward downstream distillation — the same general process family used across the ethanolamine range in this catalogue.
Industries and processes that use it
N,N-Dimethylethanolamine is consumed by polyurethane, epoxy and water-treatment monomer manufacture, with secondary demand from specialty chemical synthesis. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Polyurethane Foam Curing Agent
Catalyses the reaction between isocyanates and polyols in polyurethane foam manufacture, accelerating cure.
Epoxy Resin Curing Agent
Used as a curing agent for epoxy resin systems, drawing on its tertiary amine's catalytic basicity.
Cationic Flocculant Monomer Precursor
Its acrylate ester, DMAEA, is a well-known cationic monomer used to make flocculating polymers for water treatment.
Specialty Chemical Intermediate
A precursor to nitrogen mustard-type compounds and other specialty chemical intermediates.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The tertiary amine's catalytic 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-Dimethylethanolamine is converted into a finished intermediate or used directly.
Base Catalysis in Polyurethane Formation
Catalyses the reaction between isocyanates and polyols in polyurethane foam manufacture, accelerating gel and blow reactions.
Esterification to DMAEA
The hydroxyl group is esterified with acrylic acid or acryloyl chloride to give DMAEA, the cationic flocculant monomer.
Epoxy Cure Catalysis
Catalyses epoxide ring-opening and crosslinking reactions in epoxy resin curing systems.
Quaternisation
Reacts with alkylating agents to give quaternary ammonium salts used in specialty surfactant and biocide chemistry.
N,N-Dimethylethanolamine against other alkanolamines we supply
Buyers sourcing this tertiary alkanolamine often need a related secondary or hybrid alkanolamine for a parallel step. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| N,N-Dimethylethanolamine | 108-01-0 | Tertiary alkanolamine | The product on this page — the fully N-methylated ethanolamine in our range. |
| N-Methylethanolamine | 109-83-1 | Secondary alkanolamine | The mono-methylated relative, used in gas treating and coatings — see its product page. |
| N,N-Diethylethanolamine | 100-37-8 | Tertiary alkanolamine | The N,N-diethylated relative, used in pharmaceutical and gas-treating chemistry — 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-Dimethylethanolamine.
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.
Harmful if inhaled.
Impervious gloves, chemical splash goggles or a face shield, and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Flammable; keep away from open flames, sparks and other ignition sources.
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, 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-Dimethylethanolamine 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-Dimethylethanolamine used for?+
02What is the CAS number of N,N-Dimethylethanolamine?+
03How is N,N-Dimethylethanolamine made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is N,N-Dimethylethanolamine hazardous?+
06What is the difference between this and N-Methylethanolamine?+
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-Dimethylethanolamine on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.