Triethanolamine
Description
A pale yellow, viscous liquid that lightly smells of ammonia. Triethanolamine is used as an Emulsifier in nonionic detergents, and as a Solvent in dry cleaning. It dissolves dried paint films, fats, Casein, Shellac, and Wax. Ethanolamines are Hygroscopic and are used as humectants to soften hides and condition Wool. Ethanolamines are also used as corrosion inhibitors because they are an effective Scavenger for Sulfur-containing gases. Triethanolamine (TEA) is used in photographic developing baths to promote the formation of fine-grain structure. TEA is a strong base may be reacted with a non-water soluble organic materials, such as Oleic acid, to produce a water-soluble Soap for use as a cleaning agent, Surfactant, and emulsifier. TEA soaps have been used to dissolve old, dried oil paints. TEA is nonvolatile and highly reactive; it should be thoroughly removed from any surface after use.
See also Monoethanolamine, and Diethanolamine.
Synonyms and Related Terms
TEA; tri(2-hydroxyethyl)amine; 2,2,2-triethanolamine; 2,2',2"-nitrilotrisethanol; tris(hydroxyethyl)amine; triethylolamine; trolamine
Other Properties
Soluble in water, ethanol, acetone. Slightly soluble in ether.
Hygroscopic. Turns brown with exposure to air.
| Composition | N(CH2CH2OH)3 |
|---|---|
| CAS | 102-71-6 |
| Melting Point | 21.2-21.6 |
| Density | 1.124 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt. = 149.19 |
| Boiling Point | 335.4 (dec) |
Hazards and Safety
Combustible. Flash point = 179 C.
Skin irritant, strongly basic. Inhalation may be toxic.
LINK: International Chemical Safety Card
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 9798
- R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
- Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
- Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986
- Conservation Materials Ltd., Catalog