N,N-Diethylaniline
N,N-Diethylaniline — DEA — is the ethyl-substituted counterpart to N,N-dimethylaniline: a fully alkylated, strongly activated aromatic amine used across dye, rubber and pharmaceutical intermediate chemistry. The bulkier ethyl groups shift its steric and solubility profile just enough to give it its own distinct set of applications.
Chelora Chemicals supplies DEA to dye manufacturers, rubber chemical producers and fine chemical plants worldwide, in drums and bulk quantities, with a batch COA and GHS safety data sheet on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 91-66-7
- IUPAC name
- N,N-Diethylaniline
- Molecular formula
- C10H15N
- Molecular weight
- 149.23 g/mol
- EC / EINECS
- 202-088-8
- MDL number
- MFCD00009042
- SMILES
- CCN(CC)c1ccccc1
- HS Code
- 2921 42*
* Confirm the exact HS heading with your customs broker — N-alkylated aniline derivatives can sit under a different subheading from the simple anilines depending on destination tariff schedules.
What N,N-Diethylaniline is used for
N,N-Diethylaniline carries two ethyl groups on the aniline nitrogen rather than the two methyl groups of its close relative, N,N-dimethylaniline. Like DMA, that full alkylation removes both N-H bonds and leaves a strongly activated, highly nucleophilic aromatic ring — but the bulkier ethyl substituents shift its solubility profile, its boiling point and, in some routes, its selectivity just enough to make it the preferred choice over the dimethyl analogue.
DEA is used across azo and triarylmethane dye synthesis, as an intermediate in rubber vulcanisation accelerator chemistry, and in pharmaceutical synthesis wherever a tertiary N,N-diethylamino-phenyl fragment is the target structural feature — most notably as a building block related to local anaesthetic chemistry.
Why the alkyl group size matters
DEA and DMA are close relatives but are not simply interchangeable — the bulkier ethyl groups change both reactivity and physical handling:
- N,N-Diethylaniline (CAS 91-66-7) — this product. Ethyl groups give greater steric bulk around the nitrogen and different solubility in non-polar media.
- N,N-Dimethylaniline (CAS 121-69-7) — the methyl analogue, more compact and more strongly activating at the ring.
- N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine (CAS 91-67-8) — an additional methyl group on the ring changes the substitution pattern entirely.
If your process specification calls for a particular N,N-dialkylaniline, confirm the CAS number before ordering — the three above give measurably different results in a coupling or condensation step. We supply the related N-alkylaniline range; see the full intermediate range.
Appearance and handling character
DEA ships as a light yellow liquid with a freezing point around -38 °C, so it stays reliably liquid through virtually any ambient storage or transport condition. It is moderately soluble in water and miscible with common organic solvents. Like other aromatic amines it darkens on exposure to air and light, and it is classified as a combustible liquid — plan storage and handling accordingly.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Light yellow clear liquid |
| Assay (GC) | 99.0% min |
| Moisture (KF) | 0.2% max |
| Freezing point | ≈ -39 to -38 °C |
| Colour (APHA) | Reported per batch |
| Residual mono-ethylaniline | Reported per batch |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial grade material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document. If your process demands a tighter colour specification or a controlled residual-amine limit, send us the specification and we will quote against it rather than against a generic grade.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Liquid at ambient |
| Melting / freezing point | ≈ -38 to -39 °C |
| Boiling point | ≈ 215 – 217 °C @ 760 mmHg |
| Flash point | ≈ 79 – 88 °C |
| Relative density | ≈ 0.935 – 0.938 |
| Refractive index | ≈ 1.542 |
| Water solubility | ≈ 14 g/L @ 12 °C |
| Organic solubility | Miscible with common organic solvents |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 91-66-7 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this molecule to work
DEA's strongly activated, fully alkylated ring makes it useful across dye chemistry, rubber chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical intermediate work.
Azo & triarylmethane dye synthesis
The strongly activated ring couples readily with diazonium salts and condenses with aldehydes, making DEA a useful building block across both azo dye and triarylmethane dye chemistry.
- Coupling component in azo dye chemistry
- Triarylmethane dye synthesis
- See our dye intermediate range
Rubber vulcanisation chemistry
DEA is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of certain rubber vulcanisation accelerators, where the tertiary amine functionality contributes to the finished accelerator's activity.
- Rubber accelerator intermediate chemistry
- Custom synthesis quantities available
- Talk to our technical desk about your route
Pharmaceutical intermediates
The N,N-diethylamino-phenyl fragment appears in several pharmaceutical synthesis routes, including structures related to local anaesthetic and other tertiary-amine aromatic drug chemistry.
- Tertiary-amine aromatic intermediate
- Tight residual-amine limits usually apply
- See also related N-alkylaniline range
Agrochemical & specialty synthesis
A strongly activated, fully alkylated aromatic amine building block used across specialty agrochemical and fine chemical synthesis where the same reactivity profile is required.
- Custom synthesis quantities available
- See our agrochemical intermediate range
- Available in trial and laboratory packs
Research & reference synthesis
A well-documented, stable liquid used for method development and reference work in laboratories studying N-alkylaniline chemistry and coupling reactions.
- Reference and analytical quantities
- Small pack sizes from laboratory scale
- Full analytical documentation available
Contract & scheduled supply
Dye and rubber-chemical plants run to production campaign, not to a calendar month. Most DEA buyers want tonnage released against a production plan rather than in one shipment. We hold inventory and release it to your schedule.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply N,N-Diethylaniline
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. We own no aniline-alkylation plant — and for a specification-sensitive intermediate like this one, that independence lets us match your order to whichever source actually fits your grade and timeline.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your assay, your colour requirement, your price point and your delivery window.
We keep a second qualified source on this line. When a plant goes down for maintenance, your campaign switches source rather than stalling.
- Specification read against the CAS first. We confirm you need 91-66-7 and not the dimethyl analogue or a ring-methylated relative before we quote a price.
- Batch COA shared before dispatch. You approve the assay, colour and impurity profile against your own spec while the material is still in our warehouse.
- Hazard status stated up front. This material is classified as toxic and combustible, and we say so at enquiry stage — not in the small print of a document pack that arrives with the goods.
- Pre-shipment samples for qualification. New account or new source, your laboratory runs a trial batch before the full quantity ever moves.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Hazard classification, UN-approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Consolidation onto one bill of lading. Ship DEA alongside other N-alkylaniline and dye intermediates from our range — one invoice, one shipment, one counterparty.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Pack format drives your landed cost and your handling effort. Tell us how the material will be charged at your end and we will quote the format that suits your operation.
MS / HDPE-lined drums
UN-certified drums for liquid product, the standard format for LCL and smaller commercial movements.
IBC totes / flexitanks
Intermediate bulk containers or flexitank liners for full-container liquid loads, reducing packing cost per litre for high-volume users.
Bulk isotainer
For contracted campaign tonnage, bulk isotank shipment offers the lowest cost per kilo and minimal handling exposure.
Samples & trial packs
Laboratory samples and pilot quantities dispatched by courier so your R&D team can qualify the grade before committing to campaign volume.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to. Ocean, air and road freight arranged end-to-end with documentation filed before booking.
Campaign despatch
Dye and rubber-chemical production runs to campaign. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your production calendar instead of landing it all at once.
Handle this as a combustible, absorbable amine
N,N-Diethylaniline is combustible and harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. Like other aromatic amines it should be treated as skin-absorbable. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your consignment is the authoritative document and should govern your risk assessment, PPE selection, exposure monitoring and emergency planning.
Classified hazards
H226Flammable liquid and vapour.H302Harmful if swallowed.H312Harmful in contact with skin.H332Harmful if inhaled.H319Causes serious eye irritation.H400Very toxic to aquatic life.
Hazard statements reflect the classification commonly published for CAS 91-66-7 and vary between suppliers — some list it as a combustible rather than flammable liquid depending on the flash point of the batch. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and let it govern your controls.
Spill & emergency orientation
Plan your response before the drum arrives, not after a valve leaks. The points below are orientation for your emergency planners — sections 4, 5 and 6 of the SDS are the authoritative instructions and should be posted at the point of use.
- Eliminate ignition sources first. As a flammable/combustible liquid, remove sparks, open flame and hot surfaces from the area before any other response.
- Contain, do not hose to drain. The material is toxic to aquatic life. Contain the liquid with absorbent material and collect it into a labelled container.
- Assume skin absorption. Contaminated clothing is a continuing exposure route — remove it immediately and wash the skin thoroughly.
- Have the SDS with the casualty. The treating clinician needs the product identity and CAS number in hand.
- Dispose as regulated waste through a licensed contractor, in line with your local chemical waste regulations.
Storage
- Cool, dry, well-ventilated store, away from direct sunlight, heat and ignition sources given its flammability classification.
- Keep containers tightly closed. Air and light drive the colour drift typical of aromatic amines, and an open drum also picks up moisture.
- Segregate from oxidising agents, strong acids and acid chlorides. As a tertiary amine it still reacts exothermically with strong oxidisers.
- Access-controlled, bunded storage. Very-toxic-to-aquatic-life classification means containment is a control measure, not an administrative nicety.
- Shelf life is typically 12–24 months in sealed original packing under these conditions. Re-assay before use after long storage.
Handling & PPE
- Design exposure out, do not manage it down. Closed transfer and mechanical pumping first, ventilation second, PPE last.
- Skin protection is the priority. Aromatic amines of this type are absorbed through intact skin — chemical-resistant gloves and coveralls, not just splash protection.
- Respiratory protection where vapour concentrations may exceed exposure limits — particularly during drum opening or transfer — per your own exposure assessment.
- Eliminate ignition sources in the handling area given the flammability classification.
- Never discharge to drain or watercourse. The aquatic-toxicity classification applies — contain spills and dispose of them as regulated chemical waste.
Transport
DEA moves as regulated cargo (UN 2432). We classify each consignment, apply UN-approved packaging and labelling, and file the dangerous-goods declaration before the booking is made. The applicable class and packing group are stated on your shipping documents and SDS — ask us for the current DG paperwork when you plan the shipment.
What travels with every consignment
A chemical shipment is only as good as the file that travels with it. Verifying what the source plant sends is precisely the work you are buying from a supplier.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-specific assay by GC, moisture, colour and impurity profile — checked against your purchase specification before we release the goods.
GHS Safety Data Sheet
Full 16-section SDS in GHS format covering hazards, exposure controls, handling, storage, spill response, toxicology and disposal — issued in the language your destination requires.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN 2432 number, hazard class, packing group and IMDG or IATA declaration prepared and filed before the container is booked, with correctly marked and labelled packaging.
Certificate of Origin
Chamber-attested where required, plus preferential-origin forms where a trade agreement gives your import duty relief at the destination.
Third-party inspection
SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas sampling and inspection arranged on request before loading, giving you independent verification of what actually ships.
Retained & pre-shipment samples
Pre-shipment samples carry the same COA as the commercial lot, so what your laboratory qualifies is exactly what arrives. Retention samples held against the batch.
Bulkier alkyl groups, different downstream fit
The two extra carbons on DEA's nitrogen substituents change how it behaves in coupling and condensation chemistry compared with its dimethyl relative. The routes below are the general industrial pattern, not a process disclosure.
Start with the fully alkylated amine
DEA offers a strongly electron-donating diethylamino group, activating the ring toward electrophilic attack much like its dimethyl relative.
Couple or condense
The activated ring couples with diazonium salts in azo dye chemistry, or condenses with aldehydes in triarylmethane dye synthesis.
Or build accelerator/pharma chemistry
The tertiary amine functionality is elaborated further in rubber accelerator and pharmaceutical intermediate routes where the diethylamino-phenyl fragment is the target feature.
Finish to grade
The material is purified to whatever the end market demands — colour target for dye synthesis, or residual-amine limits for pharmaceutical or rubber-chemical use.
Why feed quality carries through the whole route
Because DEA's nitrogen cannot be further functionalised, impurities that touch the ring or carry their own reactivity are the ones that matter:
- Mono-ethylaniline and aniline residues from incomplete alkylation react differently in the same coupling or condensation step and give an inconsistent shade.
- Oxidation products from air exposure are the coloured species behind batch-to-batch colour drift, and they carry into the finished dye or rubber-chemical product.
- Residual moisture can interfere with coupling and condensation efficiency.
- Heavy residues from the alkylation route concentrate in still bottoms and reduce distillation yield.
That chain of consequences is the reason we quote against your written specification rather than a generic "technical" grade, and the reason the batch COA is shared for approval before dispatch rather than sent with the invoice.
| Intermediate | Principal outlet |
|---|---|
| N,N-Diethylaniline CAS 91-66-7 — this product | Azo & triarylmethane dyes Rubber accelerator chemistry |
| N,N-Dimethylaniline CAS 121-69-7 | Dye chemistry Resin cure accelerator |
| N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine CAS 91-67-8 | Dye & specialty synthesis Ring-methylated variant |
If your route calls for one of the others, we supply those as well — see the full intermediate range. Send the CAS number and we will confirm the correct material before quoting.
What actually moves the price of this intermediate
DEA is not a commodity with a screen price. Knowing what drives the quote helps you time a purchase and read whether an offer is realistic.
Multiple demand pools
Dye, rubber-chemical and pharmaceutical demand pull on the same molecule at different times, so the market rarely goes quiet in the way a single-outlet intermediate does.
- Quote early for campaign tonnage
- Spot buying at peak costs materially more
- Contracted call-off smooths the exposure
Upstream feedstock
The route back to DEA runs through aniline and ethylation chemistry. Movements in benzene, ammonia and ethylene feed through within a quarter or so.
- Aniline and ethylation reagent cost set the floor
- Energy cost weighs on distillation
- We flag feedstock-driven moves in the quote
Specification tier
Dye-grade material with a tight colour ceiling prices above a general technical grade. Paying for a spec you do not need is a common and avoidable cost.
- Tell us the end use, not just the purity
- We will say when a tighter spec is unnecessary
- Colour ceiling matters most on dye routes
Pack & transport format
Cost per litre falls from drums to IBC totes to bulk isotank. This isomer's very low freezing point means no cold-climate routing concerns, unlike some of the anilines in our range.
- Small drums carry the highest packing cost
- Isotank is cheapest per kilo at volume
- No cold-weather routing planning needed
Freight & DG surcharges
This is regulated cargo, so ocean freight carries a hazardous surcharge and space is tighter than for general cargo. Destination and Incoterm move landed cost as much as the ex-works price does.
- Compare on landed cost, not ex-works
- DG space books out ahead of peak season
- We quote FOB, CIF, CFR or DDP as you prefer
Source availability
A plant turnaround, an environmental inspection or a monsoon disruption can take capacity offline at short notice. Single-sourced buyers feel this hardest.
- We hold a second qualified source on this line
- Qualify the alternate before you need it
- Ask us about dual-source contracts
| If your end use is… | Specify |
|---|---|
| Azo & triarylmethane dyes | Colour ceiling, tight residual-amine limit |
| Rubber accelerator chemistry | High assay; low moisture for reliable reaction |
| Pharmaceutical chain | Tight related-substance limit; metals reported |
| Laboratory / R&D | Small pack, high purity, fast despatch |
Not sure which column you are in? Describe the reaction you are running and our technical desk will recommend the grade — including telling you when a cheaper specification would do the job just as well.
Support that goes beyond shipping the drum
What our technical desk will do
- Match a grade to your reaction. Tell us the step you are running and we will recommend the specification — and say so plainly when a tighter, costlier grade would add nothing.
- Confirm the correct alkylaniline. DEA, DMA and the ring-methylated variants are all distinct — we check the CAS number rather than trusting a label.
- Advise on handling and storage for your site conditions, particularly the flammability classification.
- Review your specification before it goes into a contract, so you are not locked into a limit that no plant can consistently hit.
Regulatory & compliance notes
- Import controls vary by destination. Some jurisdictions apply registration, licensing or end-use declaration requirements to N-alkylaniline intermediates. We check the destination rules before quoting, not after you have raised the PO.
- Chemical inventory listings differ between regions. Confirm your obligations under the applicable inventory regime for your import volume — we will supply the identity data you need for that filing.
- Flammable-liquid storage rules vary by jurisdiction and by quantity stored. Your EHS team should confirm what applies at your site.
- Dangerous goods documentation is prepared by our export desk and filed before booking.
None of the above is legal advice — your own regulatory affairs team owns the final compliance position for your import and your workplace. What we commit to is giving you accurate product identity data and complete documentation to work from.
From enquiry to delivered pallet
Send the specification
Product name or CAS 91-66-7, the assay and colour limits you work to, quantity, pack preference and destination port.
Receive a firm quote
Pricing, lead time, packing and Incoterm confirmed in writing within 24 hours — our sourcing desk is staffed around the clock.
Qualify and approve
Sample dispatched if you are qualifying a new source. Batch COA shared for your approval before the material is released.
Ship and track
DG classification filed, freight booked, export documents issued, and the consignment tracked through transit and clearance to your plant.
What buyers ask us about N,N-Diethylaniline
Can I use N,N-dimethylaniline instead?
Is this material flammable?
What purity do you normally supply?
What is the minimum order quantity?
How long does delivery take?
Why does the liquid darken in storage?
How should we store it, and what is the shelf life?
Is this a dangerous good? What paperwork comes with it?
- Batch certificate of analysis
- GHS-format safety data sheet
- Dangerous-goods declaration with UN number, class and packing group
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or airway bill
- Certificate of origin and any destination-specific forms
Do you supply to my country?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Request pricing on N,N-Diethylaniline
Send your required assay, colour ceiling, quantity, pack format and destination port. Our sourcing desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and comes back with pricing, lead time and packing options — whether that is a single trial pack or a contracted isotank programme for the year.