Diethylenetriamine
The three-amine member of the ethyleneamine family: DETA's extra nitrogen site gives it stronger cross-linking power than ethylenediamine, making it the workhorse epoxy curing agent and chelate backbone across industry.
Chelora Chemicals supplies DETA to epoxy, chelating-agent and oil-industry manufacturers worldwide, with full GHS documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 111-40-0
- IUPAC name
- N-(2-Aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine
- Molecular formula
- C₄H₁₃N₃
- Molecular weight
- 103.169 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 204.1 °C
- Melting point
- -39 °C
- UN Number
- UN 2079
- HS Code
- 2921 29*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What Diethylenetriamine is used for
Diethylenetriamine is a colourless liquid with an ammoniacal odour, extending ethylenediamine's backbone with a third amine group linked by an additional ethylene bridge. That third nitrogen site gives DETA stronger chelating and cross-linking capacity than the simpler diamine.
DETA's largest-volume use is as a curing agent for epoxy resins in adhesives and other thermoset systems. It also serves as the backbone of pentetic acid (DTPA), a widely used chelating agent, as a tridentate ligand in coordination chemistry (known there as "dien"), and in acid-gas extraction in the oil industry. It has additionally been used as a sensitiser for nitromethane-based liquid explosives and evaluated in rocket-propellant and countermine research contexts.
Where it sits in the ethyleneamine family
- Ethylenediamine (EDA) two amine groups — the simplest member. See that page.
- Diethylenetriamine (this product) three amine groups — stronger epoxy hardener and chelate backbone.
- Triethylenetetramine (TETA) four amine groups — an even stronger cross-linker. See that page.
Appearance and handling character
Diethylenetriamine is corrosive — harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, and may cause an allergic skin reaction — a profile typical of the mid-chain ethyleneamines.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless liquid |
| Assay | 99.0% min |
| Water content | 0.5% max |
| Colour (Hazen) | 20 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 liquid; ammoniacal odour |
| Boiling point | 204.1 °C |
| Melting point | -39 °C |
| Density (20 °C) | 0.951 g/mL |
| Water solubility | Fully miscible |
| Amine class | Aliphatic triamine (ethyleneamine) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 111-40-0 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this triamine to work
A stronger cross-linker and chelate backbone across epoxy and specialty chemistry.
Epoxy curing agent
DETA's largest-volume use — curing epoxy resin systems in adhesives and other thermosets.
- Technical grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Chelating-agent backbone
The structural backbone of pentetic acid (DTPA), a widely used chelating agent.
- Technical-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Coordination-chemistry ligand
A tridentate ligand (known as "dien") used in forming metal complexes for research and catalysis.
- Packs from 25 kg drum / bulk
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Acid-gas extraction
A component used in acid-gas extraction processes within the oil industry.
- Technical grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Specialty synthesis
Used in research and specialty chemical synthesis wherever a triamine building block is required.
- Research and process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
- Technical desk review on request
Contract & scheduled supply
Epoxy and chelating-agent 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 Diethylenetriamine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. DETA's role as an epoxy hardener means amine-value consistency matters as much as price — that shapes how we manage this line.
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.
- Amine value confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream epoxy cure performance.
- UN 2079 logistics managed end to end. Classification, labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Sensitisation-hazard documentation filed correctly. Every shipment carries the correct hazard declarations.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your 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 rated for UN 2079-classified liquid storage and transport.
Intermediate bulk containers
For mid-volume orders where drum handling becomes a logistics burden.
Epoxy-plant bulk volumes
Bulk liquid transport sized to continuous epoxy curing-agent or chelating-agent 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 consumption calendar.
Corrosive, and a sensitisation caution
Diethylenetriamine's combination of corrosivity and skin-sensitisation potential makes PPE and exposure control the central handling concerns. 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.H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch. Handle with chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation; avoid skin contact to prevent sensitisation.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from strong oxidisers and acids.
Handling
Use with local exhaust ventilation. Minimise skin contact with appropriate gloves and protective clothing to prevent sensitisation.
Transport
Shipped as UN 2079 in accordance with its corrosive classification. 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
Amine value 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 DETA is made
Diethylenetriamine is produced industrially as part of the same ethyleneamine process family as ethylenediamine — typically via the reaction of ethylenediamine with 1,2-dichloroethane, or as a co-product of the ammonolysis route, followed by fractional distillation to separate the ethyleneamine homologues.
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 | Aliphatic triamine (ethyleneamine) |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen sites | Three amine groups |
| Reactivity | Tridentate nucleophile; cures epoxy resins, forms chelates |
| Related compounds | Ethylenediamine (lower homolog), Triethylenetetramine (higher homolog) |
Explore the wider amine range
Diethylenetriamine, answered
What is diethylenetriamine used for?
How does DETA differ from ethylenediamine?
Is diethylenetriamine hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Need a related amine? See our Ethylenediamine and Triethylenetetramine pages.
Get a quote on Diethylenetriamine today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.