Triisopropanolamine
The tertiary triisopropanolamine supplied by Chelora Chemicals — a cement grinding aid, emulsifier and herbicide-acid neutraliser built on a triple hydroxyl-amine backbone — exported from Indonesia as flake or molten solid with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Triisopropanolamine is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its distinctive role in cement chemistry, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Triisopropanolamine is a tertiary alkanolamine: a central nitrogen carrying three identical 2-hydroxypropyl arms. Each arm offers a secondary hydroxyl group alongside the amine's own basicity and nucleophilicity, which together give the molecule a useful combination of mild base chemistry, complexing ability toward metal ions (particularly in cement systems, where it chelates iron and aluminium species), and water solubility.
At room temperature it is a white to off-white waxy solid with a mild amine odour, usually handled molten or as a flake, and it is fully miscible with water once dissolved. It is supplied either neat (molten, flaked or as a solid) or pre-diluted to a target aqueous concentration depending on the buyer's dosing system.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Triisopropanolamine's best-known specialty role is as a cement grinding aid and strength-enhancing additive, where small dosages measurably improve clinker grindability and early compressive strength development. It is also used as an emulsifier and stabiliser in metalworking fluids and specialty formulations, as a general chemical intermediate, and — distinctively — to neutralise the acidic components of certain herbicide formulations, forming the corresponding ammonium-type salt.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Triisopropanolamine in 85% technical grade for standard cement-additive and emulsifier use, and 90%+ grade for buyers who dilute to their own target concentration downstream. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Triisopropanolamine 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.
Triisopropanolamine is manufactured by reacting propylene oxide with ammonia under pressure, in a stepwise addition that first gives mono- and di-isopropanolamine before the third propylene oxide equivalent completes the triple addition: N(H)₃ + 3 C₃H₆O → N(CH₂CH(OH)CH₃)₃. The reaction conditions (ammonia-to-propylene-oxide ratio, temperature and catalyst) are tuned to favour the fully substituted tertiary amine over the mono- and di-substituted co-products, which are separated by fractional distillation and sold into their own markets.
Why the propylene oxide/ammonia route is universal
Direct alkoxylation of ammonia with propylene oxide is the only industrially practised route to triisopropanolamine: it is continuous, scalable, and the mono- and di-isopropanolamine co-products have established commercial markets of their own, so none of the three fractions is wasted.
Industries and processes that use it
Triisopropanolamine is consumed chiefly by cement-additive manufacture, with secondary demand from metalworking-fluid, emulsifier and herbicide-formulation chemistry. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Cement Grinding Aid & Strength Enhancer
Improves clinker grindability and early compressive strength development when dosed into cement grinding systems.
Metalworking Fluid Emulsifier
Used as an emulsifier and stabiliser in metalworking fluid formulations, drawing on its triple hydroxyl and amine functionality.
Herbicide Acid Neutraliser
Neutralises the acidic components of certain herbicide formulations, forming the corresponding ammonium-type salt.
General Chemical Intermediate
Used as a general-purpose chemical intermediate wherever a tertiary, triple-hydroxyl amine functionality is required.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The three hydroxyl groups and the tertiary amine's chelating ability govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction and formulation chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Triisopropanolamine is used.
Metal-Ion Chelation
Complexes iron and aluminium species present in cement clinker systems, the mechanism behind its grinding-aid and strength-enhancement performance.
Acid-Base Salt Formation
Neutralises acidic herbicide components to give the corresponding ammonium-type salt, a formulation step used in some agrochemical products.
Esterification
The secondary hydroxyl groups can be esterified with fatty acids to give specialty surfactant and emulsifier derivatives.
Emulsification
Used directly, without further transformation, as an emulsifying and stabilising component in metalworking fluid and specialty formulation systems.
Triisopropanolamine against other alkanolamines we supply
Buyers sourcing triisopropanolamine for cement or formulation chemistry often need a related alkanolamine for a parallel application. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triisopropanolamine | 122-20-3 | Tertiary alkanolamine | The product on this page — the triple-hydroxyl tertiary amine in our range, used chiefly as a cement additive. |
| N,N-Dimethylethanolamine | 108-01-0 | Tertiary alkanolamine | A related tertiary alkanolamine used in gas treating and coatings — see its product page. |
| Aminoethylethanolamine | 111-41-1 | Hybrid alkanolamine | A related hybrid amine/alkanolamine elsewhere in our range — see its product page. |
| Ethylenediamine | 107-15-3 | Diamine | A related small aliphatic diamine used across epoxy and chelating-agent chemistry — 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 Triisopropanolamine.
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.
Causes serious eye irritation.
Chemical splash goggles and impervious gloves are the baseline for routine handling of the molten or dissolved material.
Handled molten above its melting point in some dosing systems; standard hot-material handling precautions apply.
Use in a well-ventilated area, particularly when handling heated or molten material.
Avoid any release to drains or waterways as a general amine-handling precaution.
When handled as flake or solid, minimise airborne dust during transfer and packing.
Keep away from strong oxidising agents and strong acids.
Warning — GHS07 irritant pictogram applies.
This compound causes serious eye irritation; it should be handled with chemical splash goggles and impervious gloves, particularly when molten or in concentrated solution. 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 area away from strong oxidizing agents and strong acids, in tightly closed original packaging, protected from moisture given its hygroscopic tendency. If handled molten, maintain even heating to avoid localised degradation. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, colour and melting point 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 Triisopropanolamine leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration), colour and melting point, 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 Triisopropanolamine used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Triisopropanolamine?+
03How is Triisopropanolamine made?+
04What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Triisopropanolamine hazardous?+
06Why is it effective as a cement grinding aid?+
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 Triisopropanolamine on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.