N-Methylethanolamine (NMEA)
A compact N-alkyl ethanolamine with an outsized reach: NMEA bridges polymer and pharmaceutical synthesis, gas processing, and coatings chemistry, acting as intermediate, solvent, solubilizer and chain extender depending on where it lands.
Chelora Chemicals supplies N-methylethanolamine to specialty chemical, coatings and pharmaceutical-intermediate manufacturers worldwide, with full GHS documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 109-83-1
- IUPAC name
- 2-(Methylamino)ethan-1-ol
- Molecular formula
- C₃H₉NO
- Molecular weight
- 75.11 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 158.1 °C
- Melting point
- -4.5 °C
- UN Number
- UN 2735
- HS Code
- 2922 19*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What N-Methylethanolamine is used for
N-Methylethanolamine (NMEA) is a colourless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid with an ammoniacal, amine-like odour. It is monoethanolamine with a methyl group on the nitrogen — a small structural change that shifts it from a primary to a secondary amine and opens a distinct set of downstream chemistry.
NMEA is used as an intermediate in polymer and pharmaceutical synthesis, and as a solvent, including in natural gas processing alongside ethanolamine and dimethylethanolamine. In coatings, it acts as a solubilizer and stabilizer in water- and solvent-based paints, and as a cation neutralizer and chain extender in cathodic dip-coating. It also forms soaps with fatty acids for textile and personal-care surfactants, serves as a brightener when bleaching cotton-polyester blends, and is a documented precursor to dimethylaminoethanol, choline, neutral amide surfactants, pour-point depressants, sarcosine, mianserin, nefopam and N-methylaziridine.
Where it sits among the alkanolamines
- Monoethanolamine primary amine, one hydroxyl — the benchmark gas-treating amine. See that page.
- N-Methylethanolamine (this product) secondary amine, one methyl, one hydroxyl — intermediate and solvent chemistry.
- N,N-Dimethylethanolamine tertiary amine, two methyls — curing agent chemistry. See that page.
Appearance and handling character
NMEA is corrosive — harmful if swallowed, harmful in contact with skin, and causes severe skin burns and eye damage — a profile that demands the same handling discipline as its upstream relative, monoethanolamine.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to pale yellow viscous liquid |
| Assay | 98.0% min |
| Water content | 0.5% max |
| Colour (Hazen) | 20 max |
| Monoethanolamine content | 1.0% 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 | Colourless, hygroscopic, viscous liquid |
| Boiling point | 158.1 °C |
| Melting point | -4.5 °C |
| Density (20 °C) | 0.935 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Fully miscible; hygroscopic |
| Amine class | Secondary alkanolamine |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 109-83-1 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this amine to work
One compact secondary alkanolamine, reaching from polymer synthesis to coatings and gas processing.
Polymer & pharma intermediate
A building block in polymer synthesis and pharmaceutical intermediate chemistry.
- Technical grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Natural gas processing solvent
Used as a solvent in gas-processing streams alongside ethanolamine and dimethylethanolamine.
- Gas-treating grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Contracted supply available
Coatings solubilizer & stabilizer
Solubilizes and stabilizes formulations in water- and solvent-based paints and coatings.
- Technical-grade specification
- Research and process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Cathodic dip-coating
Acts as a cation neutralizer and chain extender in cathodic electrodeposition coating.
- Technical grade specification
- Bulk tank or drum supply
- Retained sample held against the lot
Textile & surfactant chemistry
Forms soaps with fatty acids for textile and personal-care surfactants; brightener in cotton-polyester bleaching.
- Packs from 25 kg drum / bulk
- Full analytical documentation available
- Technical desk review on request
Contract & scheduled supply
Specialty chemical and coatings plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply N-Methylethanolamine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. NMEA sits across several very different end markets — pharma intermediates, coatings, gas processing — each with its own documentation expectations.
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.
- Monoethanolamine content confirmed before we quote. Co-product carryover matters to downstream synthesis purity.
- Grade matched to end use. Pharma-intermediate, coatings and gas-treating specifications differ, and we confirm which applies before booking.
- UN 2735 documentation filed correctly. Every shipment carries the correct hazard declarations.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your plant's consumption 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 tank — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200 L / 55 USG
Standard steel drums for pharma-intermediate and coatings-manufacture orders.
Intermediate bulk containers
For mid-volume orders where drum handling becomes a logistics burden.
Gas-processing bulk volumes
Bulk liquid transport sized to continuous gas-processing plant consumption.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with 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 plant's consumption calendar.
Corrosive — handle like its ethanolamine relatives
NMEA shares much of monoethanolamine's corrosivity profile. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H302Harmful if swallowed.H312Harmful in contact with skin.H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch. Handle with chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation; have emergency eyewash and safety-shower provision nearby.
Storage
Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers away from strong oxidizers. NMEA is hygroscopic and will pick up atmospheric moisture if left open.
Handling
Use with local exhaust ventilation. Avoid skin and eye contact; have emergency eyewash and safety-shower provision nearby.
Transport
Shipped under UN 2735, Class 8 (corrosive). 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 monoethanolamine 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 transport 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 N-methylethanolamine is made
N-Methylethanolamine is produced industrially by the reaction of ethylene oxide with methylamine, a route distinct from the ammonia-based chemistry used for the unsubstituted ethanolamines, followed by purification and fractional distillation.
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 | N-alkyl ethanolamine, secondary |
|---|---|
| Basic character | Moderate base; secondary amine |
| Reactivity | Precursor to DMAE, choline, sarcosine and amide surfactants |
| Related compound | N,N-Dimethylethanolamine (further N-methylation) |
Explore the wider amine range
N-Methylethanolamine, answered
What is N-methylethanolamine (NMEA) used for?
Is NMEA the same as monoethanolamine?
Is NMEA hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Need a related amine? See our Monoethanolamine and N,N-Dimethylethanolamine pages.
Get a quote on N-Methylethanolamine today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.