Diethanolamine (DEA)
The middle member of the ethanolamine family: DEA is both a gas-sweetening amine and the key feedstock for diethanolamide surfactants — the mild, foam-boosting ingredients behind countless soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners.
Chelora Chemicals supplies diethanolamine to gas-processing, surfactant and personal-care manufacturers worldwide, with full GHS documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 111-42-2
- IUPAC name
- 2,2'-Iminodiethanol
- Molecular formula
- C₄H₁₁NO₂
- Molecular weight
- 105.14 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 271.1 °C
- Melting point
- 28.0 °C
- SMILES
- OCCNCCO
- HS Code
- 2922 13*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What Diethanolamine is used for
Diethanolamine (DEA) is a colourless, hygroscopic solid or viscous liquid with a faint ammonia-like odour. Above its 28 °C melting point it supercools readily and is often handled molten; it is fully miscible with water and absorbs moisture readily from the air.
DEA is used directly as a surfactant and corrosion inhibitor, and in hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide removal from natural gas (sour-gas scrubbing in refineries). Its largest downstream role, however, is as the feedstock for diethanolamide surfactants and fatty-acid salts used across soaps, detergents, cosmetics, shampoos and hair conditioners. DEA is also a feedstock for morpholine, and is used to produce oxazolidines and the drug ditazole.
Where it sits among the ethanolamines
- Monoethanolamine one hydroxyl, one amine — the benchmark gas-treating amine. See that page.
- Diethanolamine (this product) two hydroxyls, one amine — gas treating plus surfactant and diethanolamide chemistry.
- Triethanolamine three hydroxyls, no N–H — mainly a cement additive and cosmetics pH balancer. See that page.
Appearance and handling character
DEA causes skin and eye irritation, is harmful if swallowed, and may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure — a consideration worth building into routine handling procedures and PPE selection.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to pale yellow liquid/solid |
| Assay | 99.0% min |
| Water content | 0.3% max |
| Monoethanolamine content | 0.5% max |
| Colour (Hazen) | 30 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 solid, melts at 28 °C; often handled molten |
| Boiling point | 271.1 °C |
| Melting point | 28.0 °C |
| Density (20 °C) | 1.097 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Fully miscible; hygroscopic |
| Basicity | Moderate base, typical of secondary alkanolamines |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 111-42-2 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this amine to work
One versatile alkanolamine, bridging gas processing and the personal-care aisle.
Sour-gas scrubbing
Removes hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from natural gas and refinery process streams.
- Gas-treating grade specification
- Bulk tank & contracted supply
- Technical desk review on request
Diethanolamide surfactants
Feedstock for fatty-acid diethanolamides used as foam boosters and viscosity modifiers.
- Technical-grade specification
- Bulk tank or drum supply
- Contracted supply available
Soaps, shampoos & conditioners
Downstream diethanolamide chemistry reaches shampoos, liquid soaps and hair conditioners.
- Research and process-scale quantities
- High-purity grade available on request
- Technical documentation supplied
Morpholine feedstock
A route feedstock for morpholine, itself a key industrial intermediate.
- Technical grade for downstream synthesis
- Documented batch traceability
- Bulk & drum supply
Corrosion inhibitors
Used directly and as an intermediate in corrosion-inhibitor formulation.
- Packs from 25 kg drum / bulk
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Contract & scheduled supply
Surfactant and gas-processing 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 Diethanolamine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. DEA's tendency to solidify at ambient temperature means logistics and handling need to be planned for, not discovered on the receiving dock.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery and handling setup — molten tanker, heated drum or flaked solid.
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 diethanolamide quality.
- Molten or solid supply arranged to your setup. We confirm your receiving and storage capability before booking.
- Irritant-liquid 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
Heated drum, IBC or molten bulk tank — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200 L / 55 USG, heated or ambient
Standard steel drums; material solidifies below 28 °C, so cold-climate orders are often supplied heated or flaked.
Intermediate bulk containers
For mid-volume orders where drum handling becomes a logistics burden.
Molten transport for continuous users
Bulk liquid transport with heat-tracing, sized to continuous surfactant or gas-treating 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.
Irritant, with organ-damage caution on repeat exposure
DEA's tendency to solidify and its hygroscopic nature make storage planning as important as the hazard profile itself. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H302Harmful if swallowed.H315Causes skin irritation.H318Causes serious eye damage.H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch. Handle with chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation; avoid repeated or prolonged skin contact.
Storage
Store in tightly closed, moisture-excluding containers above its 28 °C melting point if handled molten, or as a sealed solid otherwise. DEA 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. Minimize repeated or prolonged exposure given its organ-effects classification.
Transport
Shipped in accordance with its classification as an irritant liquid or solid. We confirm and document exact classification and any heating requirements 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 diethanolamine is made
Diethanolamine is produced industrially, like its siblings, by the reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia — a shared production route that co-produces monoethanolamine and triethanolamine in proportions controlled by the ammonia-to-ethylene-oxide ratio, separated by 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 | Alkanolamine, secondary |
|---|---|
| Basic character | Moderate base, typical of alkanolamines |
| Reactivity | Reacts with fatty acids to form diethanolamides; reacts reversibly with CO2/H2S |
| Common co-products | Monoethanolamine, triethanolamine (shared production route) |
Explore the wider amine range
Diethanolamine, answered
What is diethanolamine (DEA) used for?
What is a diethanolamide?
Is DEA hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Need a related amine? See our Monoethanolamine and Triethanolamine pages.
Get a quote on Diethanolamine today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.