Triethylamine

High Chemical Reactivity – As the simplest homotrisubstituted tertiary amine, triethylamine displays the characteristic reactivity of tertiary amines, including salt formation and oxidation. 

Good Solubility in Organic Media – Triethylamine dissolves readily in ethanol and ether, while being only sparingly soluble in water, making it suitable for a wide range of organic synthesis and industrial applications. 

Stable Liquid with Convenient Handling – It is a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid with a relatively low boiling point of 89.5°C, facilitating storage, transfer, and processing under appropriate conditions. 

Alkaline Properties for Broad Utility – Its aqueous solution is alkaline, and its tertiary amine characteristics make triethylamine a valuable base and reaction intermediate in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Product Description
Chemical Properties
Product Application

Product Description of Triethylamine CAS#121-44-8  

Triethylamine (chemical formula C₆H₁₅N), also called N,N-diethylethylamine, is the simplest representative of homotrisubstituted tertiary amines. It demonstrates the typical reactivity of this class, including the formation of salts and oxidation reactions, while showing no activity in the Hinsberg reaction.

In physical appearance, triethylamine is a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid with a strong odor reminiscent of ammonia and a slight tendency to fume in air. Its boiling point is 89.5°C, its density is 0.70 g/cm³ (relative to water), and its vapor density is 3.48 (relative to air). It is only marginally soluble in water, but mixes readily with ethanol and ether, forming an alkaline aqueous solution.

Triethylamine is a flammable liquid whose vapors can generate explosive mixtures with air at concentrations ranging from 1.2% to 8.0%. Additionally, it is toxic and has a high irritancy profile, so it must be handled with appropriate protective measures and strict safety controls.

Triethylamine

Triethylamine Chemical Properties

Melting point -115 °C
Boiling point 90 °C
density 0.728
vapor density 3.5 (vs air)
vapor pressure 51.75 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
refractive index n20/D 1.401(lit.)
FEMA 4246 | TRIETHYLAMINE
Fp 20 °F
storage temp. Store below +30°C.
solubility water: soluble112g/L at 20°C
pka10.75(at 25℃)
form Liquid
Specific Gravity0.725 (20/4℃)
color Clear
PH12.7 (100g/l, H2O, 15℃)(IUCLID)
Relative polarity1.8
OdorStrong ammonia-like odor
Odor Typefishy
Odor Threshold0.0054ppm
explosive limit1.2-9.3%(V)
Water Solubility 133 g/L (20 ºC)
Merck 149666
JECFA Number1611
BRN 1843166
Henry's Law Constant1.79 at 25 °C (Christie and Crisp, 1967)
Exposure limitsNIOSH REL: IDLH 200 ppm; OSHA PEL: TWA 25 ppm (100 mg/m3); ACGIH TLV: TWA 1 ppm, STEL 3 ppm (adopted).
Dielectric constant5.0(Ambient)
Stability:Stable. Extremely flammable. Readily forms explosive mixtures with air. Note low flash point. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, ketones, aldehydes, halogenated hydrocarbons.
InChIKeyZMANZCXQSJIPKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
LogP1.65
CAS DataBase Reference121-44-8(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry ReferenceTriethylamine(121-44-8)
EPA Substance Registry SystemTriethylamine (121-44-8)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes F,C
Risk Statements 11-20/21/22-35
Safety Statements 3-16-26-29-36/37/39-45-61
RIDADR UN 1296 3/PG 2
WGK Germany 1
RTECS YE0175000
F 34
Autoignition Temperature593 °F
Hazard Note Highly Flammable/Corrosive
TSCA Yes
HazardClass 3
PackingGroup II
HS Code 29211910
Hazardous Substances Data121-44-8(Hazardous Substances Data)
ToxicityLD50 orally in rats: 0.46 g/kg (Smyth)
IDLA200 ppm

Product Application of Triethylamine CAS#121-44-8

Triethylamine is extensively utilized as both a solvent and a raw material in organic synthesis. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of phosgene-based polycarbonate catalysts, tetrafluoroethylene inhibitors, rubber vulcanization accelerators, specialized paint stripper solvents, enamel anti-hardening agents, surfactants, preservatives, bactericides, ion-exchange resins, dyes, fragrances, pharmaceuticals, high-energy fuels, and liquid rocket propellants.

In the pharmaceutical sector, triethylamine is employed in the manufacture of a wide range of products, including ampicillin sodium, amoxicillin, Pioneer IV, cefazolin sodium, cefradine, piperacillin, ketoconazole, vitamin B6, fluoxic acid, praziquantel, thiotepa, penicillamine, berberine hydrochloride, isoprenaline, alprazolam, o-chlorophenylacetic acid, pipemidic acid, and various other medicinal compounds.

Additional applications include the preparation of quaternary ammonium compounds, catalyst synthesis, and the production of rubber vulcanization accelerators, penetrants, and waterproofing agents.

In analytical chemistry, triethylamine is used as a mobile phase modifier in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to improve the separation of acidic, basic, and neutral compounds. It also helps reduce peak tailing during chromatographic analysis, particularly for amino acids and amino acid amides.

Furthermore, triethylamine is widely applied in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, inhibitors, high-energy fuels, and rubber vulcanizing agents.

Triethylamine