Triethylenetetramine
The four-amine member of the ethyleneamine family: TETA's extended nitrogen chain makes it a stronger epoxy crosslinker than its lower homologs, and the chemical basis of a life-saving copper-chelating therapy.
Chelora Chemicals supplies triethylenetetramine to epoxy, coordination-chemistry and specialty manufacturers worldwide, with full GHS documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 112-24-3
- IUPAC name
- N,N'-Bis(2-aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine
- Molecular formula
- C₆H₁₈N₄
- Molecular weight
- 146.238 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 266.6 °C
- Melting point
- -34.6 °C
- UN Number
- UN 2259
- HS Code
- 2921 29*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What Triethylenetetramine is used for
Triethylenetetramine is a colourless liquid (older samples may appear yellowish from mild air oxidation) with a fishy, ammoniacal odour, extending the ethyleneamine chain to four nitrogen sites across three ethylene bridges. That extended backbone gives TETA stronger crosslinking power than the lower-amine homologs.
Industrially, TETA is used primarily as a crosslinking hardener for epoxy resins. In chemistry, it serves as a tetradentate ligand — known as "trien" — forming stable complexes with transition metals for research and catalysis. Its hydrochloride salt, trientine, is a recognised pharmaceutical chelating agent that removes excess copper from the body, used to treat Wilson's disease in patients who are intolerant to penicillamine.
Where it sits in the ethyleneamine family
- Diethylenetriamine (DETA) three amine groups — epoxy hardener and chelate backbone. See that page.
- Triethylenetetramine (this product) four amine groups — stronger crosslinker, trientine backbone.
- Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) five amine groups — the next step up in viscosity and reactivity. See that page.
Appearance and handling character
Triethylenetetramine is corrosive — harmful in contact with skin, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause an allergic skin reaction, and is harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects — a profile typical of the higher ethyleneamines.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Assay | 98.0% min |
| Water 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 to pale yellow liquid; fishy, ammoniacal odour |
| Boiling point | 266.6 °C |
| Melting point | -34.6 °C |
| Density | 0.982 g/mL |
| Water solubility | Fully miscible |
| Amine class | Aliphatic tetramine (ethyleneamine) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 112-24-3 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this tetramine to work
A four-nitrogen crosslinker spanning epoxy chemistry and coordination chemistry.
Epoxy crosslinking hardener
TETA's main industrial use — a strong crosslinking agent for epoxy resin systems.
- Technical grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Coordination-chemistry ligand
A tetradentate ligand ("trien") used in forming stable transition-metal complexes.
- Technical-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Trientine precursor
The chemical backbone of trientine, a pharmaceutical chelating agent used in Wilson's disease therapy.
- Packs from 25 kg drum / bulk
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Specialty synthesis
Used wherever a tetra-functional amine building block is required in research and process chemistry.
- Technical grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Corrosion inhibitors
Used as an intermediate in certain corrosion-inhibitor and water-treatment formulations.
- Research and process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
- Technical desk review on request
Contract & scheduled supply
Epoxy and specialty-chemical 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 Triethylenetetramine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. TETA's use as a strong epoxy crosslinker 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 2259 logistics managed end to end. Classification, labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Aquatic-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 2259-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-hardener 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, sensitising, and harmful to aquatic life
Triethylenetetramine'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
H312Harmful in contact with skin.H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.H412Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
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. Contain any spill to prevent waterway contamination.
Transport
Shipped as UN 2259 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 TETA is made
Triethylenetetramine is produced industrially as part of the same ethyleneamine process family as ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine, through successive ethylene-bridge extension reactions, 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 tetramine (ethyleneamine) |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen sites | Four amine groups |
| Reactivity | Tetradentate nucleophile; strong epoxy crosslinker, forms chelates |
| Related compounds | Diethylenetriamine (lower homolog), Tetraethylenepentamine (higher homolog) |
Explore the wider amine range
Triethylenetetramine, answered
What is triethylenetetramine used for?
How does TETA differ from DETA?
Is triethylenetetramine hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Need a related amine? See our Diethylenetriamine and Tetraethylenepentamine pages.
Get a quote on Triethylenetetramine today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.