Triethanolamine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Triethanolamine | |
|---|---|
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| IUPAC name |
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| Other names | Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, 2,2',2"-Trihydroxy-triethylamine, Triethylolamine, Trolamine, TEA, TEOA |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [] |
| PubChem | |
| EC number | |
| KEGG | |
| ChEBI | |
| RTECS number | KL9275000 |
| SMILES |
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| InChI |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C6H15NO3 |
| Molar mass | 149.188 g/mol |
| Appearance | Pale yellow liquid, hygroscopic |
| Density | 1.126 g/cm3 |
| Melting point |
20.5°C (293.65 K) |
| Boiling point |
208 °C (20 hPa) |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | ScienceLab.com |
| R-phrases | R36, R37, R38 |
| S-phrases | S26, S36 |
| NFPA 704 |
 1
2
0
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| Flash point | 179 °C |
| Autoignition temperature |
325 °C |
| Explosive limits | 3.6 - 7.2 % |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references |
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Triethanolamine, often abbreviated as TEA, is an organic chemical compound which is both a tertiary amine and a tri-alcohol. A tri-alcohol is a molecule with three hydroxyl groups. Like other amines, triethanolamine acts as a weak base due to the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom. Triethanolamine can also be abbreviated as TEOA, which can help to distinguish it from triethylamine.
Contents |
[edit] Production
Triethanolamine is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia; the reaction also produces monoethanolamine and diethanolamine. The ratio of the products can be controlled by changing the stoichiometry of the reactants.[1]
[edit] Applications
This ingredient is used as a pH balancer in cosmetic preparations in a variety of different products - ranging from skin lotion, eye gels, moisturizers, shampoos, shaving foams etc.
Another common use of TEA is as a complexing agent for aluminium ions in aqueous solutions. This reaction is often used to mask such ions before performing what is called a complexometric titration with another chelating agent such as EDTA (EthyleneDiamineTetraAcetic acid), which will form stable complexes with most metallic ions.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is also used as organic additive (0.1 wt. %) in the grinding of cement clinker. It is proved to be very effective to facilitate the grinding process by preventing agglomeration and coating of the powder at the surface of balls and mill wall. [2] To what extent could TEA complex heavy metals and radionuclides encapsulated in cement matrix and so could increase their solubility remains an open question.
Various ear diseases and infections are treated with eardrops containing triethanolamine polypeptide oleate-condensate, such as Cerumenex in the United States.
TEA is listed under Schedule 3, part B of the Chemical Weapons Convention as it can be used in the manufacture of nitrogen mustards.
[edit] Safety
"As with any amines, it may have the potential to create nitrosamines, but with the low concentrations used in cosmetic products the chances of that happening is very slim and it is further theorized that nitrosamines cannot penetrate the skin."[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Klaus Weissermel, Hans-Jürgen Arpe, Charlet R. Lindley, Stephen Hawkins (2003). "Chap. 7. Oxidation Products of Ethylene". Industrial Organic Chemistry. Wiley-VCH. pp. 159–161. ISBN 3527305785.
- ^ Sohoni, S.; R. Sridhar, G. Mandal (1991). "Effect of grinding aids on the fine grinding of limestone, quartz and portland cement clinker". Powder Technology 67 (3): 277–286. doi:.
- ^ "Dictionary of Active Ingredients". PharmaSkinCare.com. http://www.pharmaskincare.com/ingredients.asp#Triethanolamine. Retrieved on 2009-02-06.
