Triisopropanolamine (TIPA)
The fully substituted isopropanolamine: TIPA is a white to off-white solid used as an emulsifier and stabilizer, and to neutralize the acidic components of some herbicide formulations.
Chelora Chemicals supplies triisopropanolamine to formulators and agrochemical manufacturers worldwide, with full technical documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 122-20-3
- IUPAC name
- 1,1',1''-Nitrilotripropan-2-ol
- Molecular formula
- C₉H₂₁NO₃
- Molecular weight
- 191.27 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 305 °C
- Melting point
- 48–52 °C
- UN Number
- UN 3259
- HS Code
- 2922 19*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What Triisopropanolamine is used for
Triisopropanolamine (TIPA) is a white to off-white solid, melting in the 48–52 °C range. Like triethanolamine, all three hydroxyl-bearing arms are attached to the nitrogen, leaving no N–H bond — but TIPA's propylene-oxide-derived methyl branches make it a solid at room temperature where TEA is a liquid.
TIPA is used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in formulation chemistry, and notably to neutralize the acidic components of some herbicide formulations — a role distinct from its ethanolamine cousin. In practice, formulators also draw on tertiary-alkanolamine chemistry familiar from TEA (surfactant neutralization, viscosity/stability support) for TIPA, though we recommend confirming specific application performance with your own trials.
Where it sits among the isopropanolamines
- Monoisopropanolamine one hydroxyl, one amine — buffers and surfactant neutralization. See that page.
- Diisopropanolamine two hydroxyls, one amine — emulsifier, stabilizer, chemical intermediate. See that page.
- Triisopropanolamine (this product) three hydroxyls, no N–H — emulsifier, stabilizer, herbicide-acid neutralizer.
Appearance and handling character
TIPA carries a relatively mild classified hazard profile, similar to its ethanolamine cousin TEA — its documented hazard is limited to eye irritation (GHS Warning, H319).
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white solid / flake |
| Assay | 98.0% min |
| Water content | 1.0% max |
| Diisopropanolamine content | 2.0% max |
| Melting range | 48–52 °C |
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 | White to off-white solid; melts at 48–52 °C |
| Boiling point | 305 °C |
| Melting point | 48–52 °C |
| UN Number | UN 3259 |
| Water solubility | Soluble |
| Basicity | Weak base; no N–H bond (tertiary amine) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 122-20-3 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this amine to work
A solid, tertiary isopropanolamine used across formulation and agrochemical chemistry.
Emulsifier
Used to form and stabilize emulsion systems across industrial formulation.
- Technical grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Stabilizer
Provides formulation stability in a range of industrial chemical products.
- Research and process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
- Contracted supply available
Herbicide-acid neutralizer
Neutralizes the acidic components of some herbicide formulations.
- Technical-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Surfactant formulation
Used in surfactant and personal-care formulation chemistry, drawing on its tertiary-amine character.
- Packs from 25 kg bag / drum
- Molten or flaked solid supply
- Retained sample held against the lot
General chemical intermediate
A flexible tertiary amine used across industrial formulation chemistry.
- Research quantities to bulk
- Technical documentation supplied
- Second source held in reserve
Contract & scheduled supply
Formulators and agrochemical plants 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 Triisopropanolamine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. TIPA's solid-at-room-temperature nature means handling format 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 preferred handling format — molten drum or flaked/powdered solid.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Diisopropanolamine content confirmed before we quote. Co-product carryover matters to downstream formulation performance.
- Molten or flaked solid supply arranged to your setup. We confirm your receiving and storage capability before booking.
- UN 3259 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
Flaked solid in bags, heated drum, or molten bulk — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
25 kg multiwall bags
Flaked or powdered solid form for ambient storage and easy dosing without melting equipment.
200 L / 55 USG
Molten material in heat-traced or insulated drums for direct process feed.
For continuous-consumption users
Heat-traced bulk transport sized to continuous formulation-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 formulation trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
A relatively mild hazard profile
TIPA's tertiary structure keeps its classified hazard narrow, but UN 3259 transport classification still applies. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch. Handle with splash goggles; avoid direct eye contact. Transported under UN 3259.
Storage
Store as a sealed solid at ambient temperature, or molten in heat-traced, insulated containers above its 48–52 °C melting range. Keep containers tightly closed to limit moisture pickup.
Handling
Use standard industrial hygiene — gloves, splash goggles, adequate ventilation — when handling molten material or dissolving the flaked/powdered solid.
Transport
Shipped under UN 3259. We confirm and document the exact packing group 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 diisopropanolamine 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 triisopropanolamine is made
Triisopropanolamine is produced industrially, like its siblings, by the reaction of propylene oxide with ammonia — a shared production route in which the ammonia-to-propylene-oxide ratio is adjusted toward higher propylene oxide excess to favour the fully substituted tertiary product, separated by fractional distillation or crystallization.
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 | Isopropanolamine, tertiary |
|---|---|
| Physical form | White to off-white solid, melts at 48–52 °C |
| Reactivity | Neutralizes acidic herbicide components; weak tertiary base |
| Common co-products | Monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine (shared production route) |
Explore the wider amine range
Triisopropanolamine, answered
What is triisopropanolamine (TIPA) used for?
How does TIPA differ from triethanolamine?
Is TIPA hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Need a related amine? See our Diisopropanolamine and Triethanolamine pages.
Get a quote on Triisopropanolamine today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.