Diisopropylamine
A bulky, hindered secondary amine with an outsized reputation in the organic chemistry lab: diisopropylamine is the essential feedstock for lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), one of the most widely used strong, non-nucleophilic bases in synthesis, and for N,N-diisopropylethylamine (Hunig's base).
Chelora Chemicals supplies diisopropylamine to pharmaceutical, agrochemical and fine-chemical manufacturers worldwide, with full GHS documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 108-18-9
- IUPAC name
- N-(Propan-2-yl)propan-2-amine
- Molecular formula
- C₆H₁₅N
- Molecular weight
- 101.19 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 83 – 85 °C
- UN Number
- 1158
- SMILES
- CC(C)NC(C)C
- HS Code
- 2921 19*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What Diisopropylamine is used for
Diisopropylamine is a colourless liquid with a fishy, ammoniacal odour. Its two bulky isopropyl groups make it a sterically hindered secondary amine — a feature that is less useful for building ordinary amine products and far more valuable for making hindered, non-nucleophilic bases.
That is exactly where its commercial value sits: as the feedstock for lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), one of the most important strong, non-nucleophilic bases in organic synthesis, used to deprotonate carbonyl compounds cleanly without attacking the carbonyl itself. It is equally the precursor to N,N-diisopropylethylamine (Hunig's base), another widely used hindered base. Beyond these two, it also finds use in the manufacture of the herbicides diallate and triallate, in sulfenamide rubber-vulcanization accelerators, and as a general amine nucleophile in the lab.
Why the bulk matters
- Steric hindrance the two isopropyl groups shield the nitrogen, suppressing its nucleophilicity while keeping it strongly basic.
- LDA made by deprotonating diisopropylamine with an organolithium reagent — a textbook strong base in modern synthesis.
- Hunig's base the diisopropylethylamine derivative, prized as a non-nucleophilic base compatible with sensitive substrates.
See our wider amine range for other secondary and tertiary amines we supply, including triethylamine and diethylamine.
Appearance and handling character
Diisopropylamine is highly flammable and corrosive, fully miscible with most organic solvents, and shares the characteristic ammonia/fish-like odour of the secondary amine family.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless liquid, fishy/ammoniacal odour |
| Assay | 99.0% min |
| Water content | 0.3% max |
| Colour (Hazen) | 20 max |
| Non-volatile residue | 0.05% max |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Liquid at room temperature |
| Boiling point | 83 – 85 °C |
| Melting point | -61.00 °C |
| Density (20 °C) | 0.722 g/mL |
| Water solubility | Partially miscible |
| Basicity | Strong, sterically hindered base |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 108-18-9 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this amine to work
A hindered secondary amine valued for the bases it becomes, not for building ordinary amine products.
LDA manufacture
The feedstock for lithium diisopropylamide, a benchmark strong, non-nucleophilic base in organic synthesis.
- Technical-grade specification
- Bulk tonnage supply available
- Technical desk review on request
Hünig's base precursor
Precursor to N,N-diisopropylethylamine, a widely used non-nucleophilic hindered base.
- Multiple pack sizes available
- Full analytical documentation
- Small quantities for trials
Diallate & triallate herbicides
Used in the manufacture of these thiocarbamate herbicides.
- Technical-grade specification
- Contracted annual tonnage supported
- Bulk tank or drum supply
Sulfenamide rubber accelerators
Used in the production of certain sulfenamides that control rubber-vulcanization rate.
- Research and process-scale quantities
- High-purity grade available on request
- Technical documentation supplied
General amine nucleophile
A standard reagent across research and process-scale organic synthesis.
- Packs from 1 L / 5 L
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Contract & scheduled supply
Pharmaceutical and fine-chemical producers running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled call-off tonnage.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Diisopropylamine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. On an amine that feeds pharmaceutical-grade LDA manufacture, assay and moisture control matter more than usual — we confirm these before any order is placed.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Moisture content confirmed before we quote. Water content is critical where this amine feeds anhydrous LDA manufacture.
- Dangerous-goods documentation filed correctly. Class 3 with a Class 8 subsidiary risk needs both hazard sets declared accurately.
- Packing matched to the corrosive, flammable profile. UN-approved drums and IBCs rated for both hazard classes.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your production calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Drum, IBC or bulk — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200 L / 55 USG
Standard UN-approved steel drums for corrosive flammable liquids, the usual choice for most orders.
Intermediate bulk containers
For mid-volume orders where drum handling becomes a logistics burden.
High-volume contracts
Bulk liquid transport for continuous-consumption customers on long-term supply agreements.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with dangerous-goods documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your production calendar.
Flammable, corrosive, and harmful by inhalation and contact
Diisopropylamine combines a flammability hazard with genuine skin and eye corrosivity. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H225Highly flammable liquid and vapour.H302Harmful if swallowed.H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.H332Harmful if inhaled.
Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch. Handle with chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation.
Storage
Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, open flame and oxidisers, under an inert atmosphere where downstream LDA synthesis demands anhydrous handling.
Handling
Use with local exhaust ventilation. Ground and bond containers during transfer to control static discharge in a flammable-vapour environment. Avoid skin and eye contact.
Transport
Ships as UN 1158, typically Class 3 (flammable liquid) with a Class 8 (corrosive) subsidiary risk. We confirm and document packing group and exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Assay and water content confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and dangerous-goods paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How diisopropylamine is made
Diisopropylamine is produced industrially by the catalytic amination of isopropanol with ammonia, or by reductive routes from acetone and ammonia, both standard industrial processes for this hindered secondary amine.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical and safety documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Secondary aliphatic amine, bulky/hindered |
|---|---|
| Basic character | Strong, sterically hindered base; low nucleophilicity |
| Reactivity | Deprotonated by organolithiums to form LDA; alkylated to Hunig's base |
| Related bases | LDA, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (Hunig's base) |
Explore the wider amine range
Diisopropylamine, answered
What is diisopropylamine used for?
What is LDA and why does it matter?
Is diisopropylamine hazardous?
What is the UN transport classification?
What grade do you supply?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Need a related amine? See our Diethylamine and Di-n-Butylamine pages.
Get a quote on Diisopropylamine today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.