Request a Quote
Request a Quote →

m-Phenylenediamine

MPDA · CAS 108-45-2

An aromatic diamine building block behind high-strength aramid fibres, epoxy curing systems and polyurea coatings — valued wherever thermal stability and chemical resistance matter.

Chelora Chemicals supplies m-phenylenediamine to fibre, resin and coatings manufacturers worldwide, with full documentation and regulatory support on every consignment.

  • Aramid-fibre monomer
  • Epoxy-resin curative
  • Polyurea coating component
  • Dye & corrosion-inhibitor intermediate
  • Toxic — handle accordingly
  • UN 1673

Product identity

CAS Number
108-45-2
IUPAC name
Benzene-1,3-diamine
Molecular formula
C₆H₈N₂
Molecular weight
108.14 g/mol
Melting point
64-66 °C
Boiling point
282-284 °C
UN Number
UN 1673
HS Code
2921 51*

* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.

108.14g/mol molecular weight
282-284 °CBoiling point
64-66 °CMelting point
UN 1673Transport classification
Product overview

What m-Phenylenediamine is used for

m-Phenylenediamine (MPDA) is a colourless to light-tan crystalline solid that darkens on exposure to air and light, typically handled under inert or light-protected conditions. Structurally it is the simplest of the aromatic diamines treated on this site — a single benzene ring carrying two amine groups in the 1,3- (meta) positions, with no bridging methylene or methyl group.

That simple, symmetric structure makes MPDA valuable in applications demanding thermal stability and chemical resistance: it is a key monomer in the synthesis of aramid fibres (high-strength, heat-resistant fibres used in protective and reinforcement applications), a curing agent for epoxy resins where elevated heat-distortion performance is required, a component in polyurea coating systems, and an intermediate in dye, fungicide and corrosion-inhibitor synthesis.

Where it sits in the aromatic amine family

  • Aniline the simplest mono-amine aromatic, feedstock for several related diamines. See that page.
  • 2,4-Toluenediamine a methyl-substituted aromatic diamine used for TDI. See that page.
  • m-Phenylenediamine (this product) the unsubstituted meta-diamine, suited to aramid-fibre and epoxy-curative chemistry.

Appearance and handling character

MPDA is toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, may cause an allergic skin reaction, causes serious eye irritation, toxic if inhaled, is suspected of causing genetic defects, and is very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.

Typical commercial specification
ParameterTypical value
AppearanceColourless to light-tan flake / crystalline solid
Assay99.0% min
Melting point range63-66 °C
Colour stabilityDarkens on air/light exposure — packed accordingly

Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.

Physical & chemical properties
PropertyValue
Physical stateColourless to light-tan crystalline solid
Boiling point282-284 °C
Melting point64-66 °C
Water solubilitySoluble
Amine classBis-primary aromatic amine (meta-substituted)

Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 108-45-2 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.

Applications

Where our customers put this diamine to work

A thermally stable aromatic diamine spanning high-performance fibre, resin and coatings chemistry.

Aramid-fibre monomer

A key monomer in the synthesis of high-strength, heat-resistant aramid fibres.

  • Technical-grade specification
  • Light-protected packaging
  • Technical desk review on request

Epoxy-resin curative

Used as a curing agent in epoxy formulations where elevated heat-distortion performance is required.

  • Documented batch traceability
  • Contract & spot supply
  • Handling guidance included

Polyurea coating systems

Used as a component in fast-reacting polyurea coating and lining formulations.

  • Packs sized to customer volumes
  • Full analytical documentation available
  • Retained sample held against the lot

Dye & colourant intermediate

Used as a synthesis intermediate in dye and colourant chemistry.

  • Technical-grade specification
  • Documented batch traceability
  • Technical desk review on request

Fungicide & corrosion-inhibitor intermediate

Used in the synthesis of select fungicide and corrosion-inhibitor compounds.

  • Research & process-scale quantities
  • Full documentation supplied
  • Technical desk review on request

Contract & scheduled supply

Fibre, resin and coatings processors running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled delivery.

  • Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
  • Price held across the contract period
  • Second source held in reserve
Buying from Chelora

How we supply m-Phenylenediamine

Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. MPDA's sensitivity to air and light, combined with its recognised hazard profile, means careful packaging and documentation are central to 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, and confirm your jurisdiction's import and occupational-exposure requirements before booking.

We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.

  • Assay and colour confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream fibre and resin quality.
  • UN 1673 documentation managed end to end. Classification, labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
  • Light- and air-protected packaging. Specified to preserve colour and purity in transit and storage.
  • 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.
Packing & logistics

Packed the way your plant receives it

Drum or carton, light-protected where needed — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.

Drums

Fibre or steel drums

For flake material, rated for UN 1673-classified handling and transport.

Light-protected cartons

Colour-preserving packaging

Sealed, light-protected packaging specified to preserve colour and purity in storage and transit.

Closed-loop transfer

Minimised-exposure handling

Transfer arrangements discussed with your EHS team to minimise operator exposure consistent with this product's hazard profile.

FOB · CIF · CFR · DDP

Incoterms to suit you

Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.

Small trial packs

Trial / sample quantities

Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed, with handling guidance attached.

Scheduled release

Contracted call-off supply

We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.

Safety, storage & handling

Toxic — handle accordingly

MPDA's recognised toxicity makes engineering controls, PPE and exposure monitoring the central handling priorities. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch, and your jurisdiction's occupational exposure limits, are the authoritative documents.

GHS Signal word: Danger

Classified hazards

  • H301Toxic if swallowed.
  • H311Toxic in contact with skin.
  • H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H331Toxic if inhaled.
  • H341Suspected of causing genetic defects.
  • H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.

Occupational exposure limits apply. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and follow your site's engineering controls and medical-surveillance requirements for this material.

Storage

Store in tightly closed, light-protected containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated and access-controlled area, away from strong oxidisers and acids.

Handling

Use with engineered local exhaust ventilation and closed-transfer systems wherever possible. Skin, eye and respiratory exposure must be controlled to the applicable occupational exposure limit, with appropriate PPE, medical surveillance and training for personnel.

Transport

Shipped as UN 1673. We confirm and document packing group and exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.

Quality assurance

Every batch, documented

We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.

Specification agreed

Assay, colour and regulatory documentation 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.

Production background

How MPDA is made

m-Phenylenediamine is produced industrially by the catalytic reduction of m-dinitrobenzene, a long-established route in aromatic-amine chemistry, followed by purification to the required assay.

We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical, safety and regulatory documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.

Quick reference
Chemical familyBis-primary aromatic amine (meta-substituted)
Nitrogen sitesTwo primary aromatic amine groups
ReactivityCondenses with aromatic diacid chlorides (aramid synthesis); reacts with epoxides and isocyanates
Related compoundsm-Dinitrobenzene (precursor), 2,4-toluenediamine, aramid polymer (downstream)
Frequently asked

m-Phenylenediamine, answered

What is m-phenylenediamine used for?
m-Phenylenediamine (MPDA) is used as a monomer in aramid-fibre synthesis (for high-strength, heat-resistant fibres), as a curing agent for epoxy resins, as a component in polyurea coating systems, and as an intermediate in dye, fungicide and corrosion-inhibitor chemistry.
How does m-phenylenediamine differ from the other toluenediamines and MDA?
m-Phenylenediamine is a simple benzene ring with two amine groups in the 1,3-positions, with no methyl or methylene bridge. This distinguishes it from toluenediamine (which carries a methyl group, used for TDI) and from MDA/MOCA (two rings joined by a methylene bridge, used for MDI and polyurethane curing). MPDA's structure makes it well suited to aramid-fibre and epoxy-curative chemistry specifically.
Is m-phenylenediamine hazardous?
Yes. It is classified as toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, may cause an allergic skin reaction, causes serious eye irritation, toxic if inhaled, is suspected of causing genetic defects, and is very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. It ships as UN 1673. Full regulatory documentation accompanies every consignment.
What grade do you supply?
Technical grade, typically 99%+ assay suitable for aramid-fibre, epoxy-curative and polyurea applications. Tell us your end use and we will quote against the correct specification.
What packing do you offer?
Drums and fibre cartons, sized to processor order volumes, classified for UN 1673 transport, with antioxidant packaging where light/air exposure is a concern.
Do you manufacture this yourself?
No - Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. We place your order with whichever qualified producer fits your specification and timeline, and hold a second source in reserve.
Ready to order?

Get a quote on m-Phenylenediamine today

Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.

Response timeWithin one business day