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2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is frequently used in cosmetic and personal care formulations, where it serves as a pH adjuster, emulsifier, or solubilizing agent, helping to stabilize complex mixtures of oils, water, and active ingredients, and ensuring that the final product remains smooth, consistent, and effective over time.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a member of the class of ethanolamines that is aminoethanol in which the hydrogens of the amino group are replaced by ethyl groups.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a member of ethanolamines, a tertiary amino compound and a primary alcohol.
CAS Number: 100-37-8
Molecular Formula: C6H15NO
Molecular Weight: 117.19
EINECS Number: 202-845-2
Synonyms:2-(Diethylamino)ethanol, 2-Diethylaminoethanol, 100-37-8, DIETHYLAMINOETHANOL, Diethylethanolamine, DEAE, N,N-Diethyl-2-aminoethanol, Ethanol, 2-(diethylamino)-, 2-(Diethylamino)Ethan-1-ol, (2-Hydroxyethyl)diethylamine, Diethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, Diethylmonoethanolamine, 2-Hydroxytriethylamine, Pennad 150, Diaethylaminoaethanol, 2-(N,N-Diethylamino)ethanol, N,N-Diethylmonoethanolamine, beta-Diethylaminoethanol, N,N-Diethyl-2-hydroxyethylamine, beta-Hydroxytriethylamine, 2-(Diethylamino)ethyl alcohol, N-Diethylaminoethanol, diethyl ethanolamine, beta-Diethylaminoethyl alcohol, N,N-Diethyl-N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)amine, S6DL4M053U, CHEBI:52153, NSC-8759, 2-Diethylaminoethyl alcohol, diethyl-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, RefChem:86780, 202-845-2, N,N-Diethylethanolamine, Diethylamino ethanol, DEEA, N-(Diethylamino)ethanol, N,N-Diethylaminoethanol, MFCD00002850, 2-N-(Diethylamino)ethanol, .beta.-(Diethylamino)ethanol, ETHANOL,2-DIETHYLAMINO, beta-(Diethylamino)ethyl alcohol, DTXSID5021837, N,N-Diethyl-N-(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)amine, DTXCID401837, ethane, 1-diethylamino-2-hydroxy-, CAS-100-37-8, CCRIS 4793, HSDB 329, EINECS 202-845-2, UN2686, UNII-S6DL4M053U, AI3-16309, 2-Diethylamino, N, N-Diethylethanolamine, 2-Diethylaminoethanol [UN2686] [Corrosive], EC 202-845-2, SCHEMBL3114, SCHEMBL8378, 2-Diethylaminoethanol, 9CI, CHEMBL1183, 2-(diethylamino)-1-ethanol, MLS002174251, 2-(N,N-diethylamino)-ethanol, SCHEMBL1196160, SCHEMBL2118229, SCHEMBL4440780, SCHEMBL4440782, SCHEMBL6518840, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol, 99%, SCHEMBL10699915, SCHEMBL19458947, DIETHYLAMINOETHANOL [HSDB], N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)diethylamine, NSC8759, HMS3039I08, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol, >=99%, DIETHYLAMINOETHANOL [MART.], WLN: Q2N2 & 2, DIETHYLAMINOETHANOL [WHO-DD], N-(hydroxyethyl)-N,N-diethyl amine, Tox21_201463, Tox21_300037, BBL012211, SBB058521, STL163552, 2-(DIETHYLAMINO)ETHANOL [MI], 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol, >=99.5%, AKOS000119883, UN 2686, NCGC00090925-01, NCGC00090925-02, NCGC00090925-03, NCGC00253920-01, NCGC00259014-01, A 22, BP-20552, SMR001261425, VS-03234, DB-012722, D0465, NS00006343, ST51023433, 2-Diethylaminoethanol [UN2686] [Corrosive], D88192, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol, purum, >=99.0% (GC), Q209373, 2-Diethylaminoethanol 100 microg/mL in Acetonitrile, InChI=1/C6H15NO/c1-3-7(4-2)5-6-8/h8H,3-6H2,1-2H, β-Diethylaminoethyl alcohol;2-DIETHYLAMINOETHANOL,REAGENT;Dietyleneglycol;1,2-DIETHYLAMINOETHANOL;2-DIETHYLAMINOETHANE;Diethylethanolamin;2-(DIETHYLAMINO)-ETHANOL 99+%;2-diethylaminoethanol N,N-diethylethanolamine
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol colorless liquid with a nauseating, weak, ammonia odor; hygroscopic; very soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, ether acetone, benzene, and petroleum ether.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol, often abbreviated as DEAE, is a colorless to pale yellow, oily liquid chemical compound that belongs to the class of organic amines and alcohols, and its chemical structure consists of a two-carbon chain with a hydroxyl (-OH) group at one end and a diethylamino (-N(C2H5)2) functional group at the other end, which gives the molecule both basic and nucleophilic properties.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is highly versatile in chemical synthesis, as it can act simultaneously as a weak base, a nucleophile, and a solvent, making it particularly useful in reactions such as the preparation of quaternary ammonium salts, surfactants, and corrosion inhibitors, as well as in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialized polymers.
It derives from an ethanolamine.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol derives from a hydride of a triethylamine.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol, an aminoethanol compound, is a colorless liquid with a weak ammoniacal odor.
The odor perception limit in air is 0.011 ppm; the odor recognition level is0.04 ppm.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is the organic compound with the molecular formula (C2H5)2NCH2CH2OH.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol a colorless liquid, is used as a precursor in the production of a variety of chemical commodities such as the local anesthetic procaine.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is an aminoalcohol.
Amines are chemical bases, they neutralize acids to form salts plus water.
These acid-base reactions are exothermic, the amount of heat that is evolved per mole of amine in a neutralization is largely independent of the strength of the amine as a base.
Amines may be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides.
Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated by amines in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol can react with strong oxidizers and acids.
The chemical’s physical properties include a boiling point of approximately 192–193 °C, a density of about 0.88 g/mL at 20 °C, and complete miscibility with water and many polar organic solvents, which contributes to its wide applicability across diverse industries.
However, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol must be handled with caution, as it is classified as corrosive and irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; prolonged or repeated exposure can cause burns, redness, or inflammation, and therefore, appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and ventilation should always be used when handling this compound in laboratory or industrial settings.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a highly reactive, bifunctional organic molecule that combines a polar hydroxyl (-OH) group and a tertiary amine (-N(C2H5)2) moiety, allowing it to participate simultaneously in hydrogen bonding, acid-base reactions, and nucleophilic substitution processes, which makes it exceptionally versatile as both a reagent in organic synthesis and a functional additive in a wide range of industrial and consumer products.
In chemical synthesis, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is particularly valuable because it serves as a key intermediate for the preparation of quaternary ammonium salts, cationic surfactants, and specialized corrosion inhibitors, which are widely used in coatings, lubricants, and metal treatment formulations; its basic nitrogen group enables it to neutralize acidic species, while the hydroxyl functionality allows for esterification, etherification, or polymerization reactions, providing chemists with a flexible building block for creating more complex molecules.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol can be used as a buffering agent or pH adjuster in formulations, as well as a chemical precursor in the synthesis of certain drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and biologically active compounds, where precise control of pH and reactivity is crucial to maintain stability, efficacy, and safety of the final product.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a clear to slightly yellow liquid at room temperature with a characteristic amine-like odor, a density around 0.88 g/mL, a boiling point near 192–193 °C, complete miscibility with water and many polar organic solvents, and a low viscosity that allows easy handling in industrial and laboratory processes; these properties make it highly compatible with diverse reaction media and formulation types but also necessitate careful storage to avoid accidental contact with oxidizing agents or heat sources.
Melting point: -70 °C
Boiling point: 161 °C (lit.)
Density: 0.884 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Vapor density: 4.04 (vs air)
Vapor pressure: 1 mm Hg (20 °C)
Refractive index: n20/D 1.441 (lit.)
Flash point: 120 °F
Storage temperature: Store below +30 °C
Solubility: Soluble
Form: Crystalline powder
pKa: 14.74 ± 0.10 (Predicted)
Color: White to pale yellow
pH range: 10
Odor: Characteristic ammoniacal odor
pH: 11.5 (100 g/L, H2O, 20 °C)
Explosive limit: 0.7% (V)
Water solubility: Soluble
Freezing point: -70 °C
Merck: 14,3112
BRN: 741863
Exposure limits: NIOSH REL TWA 10 ppm (50 mg/m³), IDLH 100 ppm; OSHA PEL TWA 10 ppm; ACGIH TLV TWA 2 ppm (adopted)
Stability: Stable, flammable, incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and acids, moisture sensitive, hygroscopic
InChIKey: BFSVOASYOCHEOV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
LogP: 0.21 at 23 °C
Surface tension: 27.99 mN/m at 293.15 K
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol colorless, hygroscopic liquid with a nauseating, ammonia-like odor.
Experimentally determined detection and recognition odor threshold concentrations were 50 μg/m3 (11 ppbv) and 190 μg/m3 (40 ppbv), respectively (Hellman and Small, 1974).
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a tertiary amine produced by reaction of ethylene oxide or ethylene chlorhydrin and diethylamine (RTECS 1988).
Itokazu (1987) has modified this process for manufacture of 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol without eventual discoloration.
Production in this country exceeds 2866 pounds per year (HSDB 1988).
Color Code—White: Corrosive or Contact Hazard;Store separately in a corrosion-resistant location.
Prior toworking with 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol you should be trained on its properhandling and storage.
Before entering confined space wherethis chemical may be present, check to make sure thatan explosive concentration does not exist.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol must be stored to avoid contact withstrong acids (such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric);strong oxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine)because violent reactions occur.
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat.Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where diethylaminoethanol is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is prepared commercially by the reaction of diethylamine and ethylene oxide.
(C2H5)2NH + cyclo(CH2CH2)O → (C2H5)2NCH2CH2OH
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is also possible to prepare it by the nucleophilic substitution of diethylamine and 2-chloroethanol.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is an organic compound that combines the chemical characteristics of both an alcohol and a tertiary amine, which means that it possesses a polar hydroxyl group capable of forming hydrogen bonds and a basic nitrogen atom with two ethyl groups that can readily accept protons, giving the molecule unique chemical reactivity and versatility in numerous industrial, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is widely recognized in chemical manufacturing as a key intermediate in the synthesis of various chemicals, including quaternary ammonium salts, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, lubricants, and polymeric materials, because its bifunctional structure allows it to react with both acids and halides, making it highly adaptable for forming more complex molecules while also functioning as a stabilizing or solubilizing agent in multi-component reaction systems.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is often utilized in cosmetic and personal care formulations for its ability to adjust pH, act as an emulsifier, or enhance the solubility of active ingredients such as vitamins, botanical extracts, or synthetic actives, thereby ensuring that the final product remains homogeneous, stable, and effective, while also improving the sensory feel of creams, lotions, and serums.
From a physical and chemical standpoint, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a clear to slightly yellow, oily liquid with a characteristic ammonia-like odor, complete miscibility with water, alcohols, and many other polar solvents, and a boiling point near 192–193 °C, which makes it easy to handle in laboratory or industrial processes but also necessitates careful storage away from heat and strong oxidizing agents to prevent degradation or unwanted reactions.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol poses significant hazards to health and safety, as it is classified as corrosive and can cause severe irritation or burns to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes upon direct contact; inhalation of vapors or aerosols may lead to respiratory irritation, coughing, or more serious pulmonary effects, and ingestion can be highly toxic, highlighting the need for strict adherence to safety protocols, including the use of gloves, eye protection, proper ventilation, and emergency procedures for accidental exposure.
Furthermore, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is regulated under transport and chemical safety guidelines, being assigned the UN number 2686 and requiring proper labeling, packaging, and documentation for shipment due to its corrosive and potentially hazardous nature, which underscores the importance of understanding both its chemical utility and the precautions necessary to handle it safely in industrial, laboratory, and commercial contexts.
Uses Of 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol:
Water-soluble salts; textile softeners; antirust formulations; fatty acid derivatives; pharmaceuticals; curing agent for resins; emulsifying agents in acid media; organic synthesis.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol can be used as a precursor chemical to procaine.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is used as a corrosion inhibitor in steam and condensate lines by neutralizing carbonic acid and scavenging oxygen.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is used for the synthesis of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry and as a catalyst for the synthesis of polymers in the chemical industry.
It is also used as a pH stabilizer.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is used as a corrosion inhibitor in steam and condensate lines by neutralizing carbonic acid and scavenging oxygen.
It use as a chemical intermediate for production of emulsifiers, detergents, and solubilizers.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is also an intermediate for manufacturing cosmetics; textile finishing agents, fabric softeners, and dyes; drugs and pharmaceuticals, and fatty acid.
It is also used in antirust compositions, and acts as a curing agent for resins.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of the local anesthetics procaine and chloroquine; and in the chemical industry for the manufacture of water-soluble salts, fatty-acid derivatives, derivatives containing tertiary amine groups, emulsifiers, special soaps, cosmetics and textiles and fibers.
It also is used in chromatography in chemistry and biochemistry laboratories (2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is useful as an ion-exchange matrix; DEAE-cellulose columns are used for purification of proteins and DNA, and DEAE-silica for phospholipid separations).
In other industries 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is used in some antirust compositions and in textile softeners.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is also used widely as a steam additive in large buildings requiring humidifiers.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is used as a corrosion inhibitor in steam and condensate lines by neutralizing carbonic acid and scavenging oxygen.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol reacts with 4-aminobenzoic acid to make procaine.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a precursor for DEAE-cellulose resin, which is commonly used in ion exchange chromatography.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol can decrease the surface tension of water when the temperature is increased.
Solutions of 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol absorb carbon dioxide (CO2).
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is extensively used in industrial chemical synthesis as a multifunctional intermediate, where its bifunctional nature—combining a hydroxyl group with a tertiary amine—allows it to participate in a variety of reactions such as esterification, etherification, quaternization, and polymerization, enabling chemists to produce complex compounds including quaternary ammonium salts, cationic surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, and specialty lubricants, which are widely applied in coatings, metal treatments, and other industrial formulations.
In the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is employed as a pH regulator, buffering agent, and chemical precursor in the synthesis of certain active pharmaceutical ingredients and biologically active molecules, because its ability to accept protons and react with acids or halides allows precise control over reaction conditions, improving the stability, efficacy, and safety of the resulting pharmaceutical products.
In cosmetic and personal care formulations, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is valued for its emulsifying and solubilizing properties, as it can help disperse oils, fragrances, botanical extracts, or synthetic actives uniformly in creams, lotions, and serums, while also adjusting the pH of formulations to maintain product stability, optimize skin feel, and ensure compatibility with other ingredients, making it especially useful in moisturizers, anti-aging creams, haircare products, and specialized skincare solutions.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is also used in research and laboratory applications, where it acts as a reagent, solvent, or base in organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, and polymer research, allowing scientists to perform controlled reactions, prepare functionalized molecules, or develop new materials with specific chemical and physical properties, which underscores its versatility and importance in both applied and experimental chemistry.
In addition, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol can be utilized in the production of coatings, paints, and resins, where its chemical reactivity allows it to form stable intermediates that improve adhesion, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion or environmental degradation, enhancing the durability and performance of industrial materials while simultaneously serving as a neutralizing or pH-adjusting agent in the final product.
Furthermore, in the agrochemical sector, it can be incorporated as a component in herbicides, pesticides, or plant growth regulators, where it functions as a solubilizer, stabilizer, or reactive intermediate, enabling active ingredients to be more efficiently delivered, dispersed, and absorbed by plants or soil, thereby improving the efficacy of agricultural formulations.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is a highly versatile chemical with applications spanning multiple industries, including industrial manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, coatings, polymers, and agrochemicals, due to its ability to act simultaneously as a reactive intermediate, solvent, pH regulator, emulsifier, and solubilizing agent, making it an indispensable tool in both large-scale production and laboratory-scale chemical processes.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is widely utilized in organic and industrial chemical synthesis as a versatile intermediate because its bifunctional structure, which includes both a nucleophilic tertiary amine and a reactive hydroxyl group, allows it to participate in multiple chemical reactions such as alkylation, acylation, esterification, quaternization, and polymerization, making it an essential building block for the production of quaternary ammonium compounds, cationic surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, epoxy resins, and specialty polymers, all of which play critical roles in coatings, adhesives, metal treatment, and industrial maintenance applications.
In the pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors, 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is employed as a buffering agent, pH adjuster, and synthetic precursor for the preparation of various active pharmaceutical ingredients, drug intermediates, and biologically active molecules, because its basic amine group enables precise regulation of acidity during chemical reactions, which is crucial for maintaining the stability, solubility, and effectiveness of medications and other therapeutic compounds.
In cosmetics and personal care products, this compound serves as a multifunctional additive, acting as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and pH regulator, which helps to evenly distribute oils, botanical extracts, vitamins, or other actives in creams, lotions, serums, and haircare formulations; by maintaining a stable pH environment and enhancing ingredient compatibility, it contributes to smoother textures, improved product performance, and enhanced consumer experience in both skin and hair care applications.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is employed in the synthesis or stabilization of herbicides, pesticides, and plant growth regulators, as its chemical reactivity and solubilizing ability enhance the delivery, dispersion, and absorption of active ingredients in crops or soil, improving the efficacy and consistency of agricultural formulations.
Safety Profile Of 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol:
There is a lack of data regarding human toxicity of Diethylaminoethanol.
The greatest industrial hazard however, is thought to be to the eyes from contact with the fluid, which is comparable in severity to ammonium hydroxide as an eye irritant.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is permitted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for some applications as a food additive.
Applications include protective coatings for fresh fruits and vegetables, and as an additive in steam which directly contacts food products (excluding milk products).
The National Research Council Committee on Toxicology (NRC 1983) has concluded that data on long-term, low-level airborne exposures of animals to 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol for extrapolation to human health risks are severely lacking.
This, combined with the lack of data concerning the concentrations of 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol in humidified buildings did not allow sufficient information to set guidelines for long-term exposures or estimate the health risks from such exposures.
The NRC was able to make some general recommendations based on the assumption that the nitrosation reactions (below) may occur, and that the amine should be considered as hazardous as the nitroso compound formed from it.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is an irritant to the eyes, skin, and lungs.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have set occupational exposure limits for workers handling the chemical at 10 ppm (50 mg/m3) over an eight-hour workday.
2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is classified as a corrosive and irritant chemical, and direct contact with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes can result in severe irritation, chemical burns, redness, swelling, or permanent tissue damage, meaning that even brief exposure without protective equipment can pose serious health risks.
Inhalation of vapors or aerosols can irritate the respiratory tract, potentially causing coughing, throat discomfort, shortness of breath, and, in cases of prolonged exposure, more significant pulmonary effects, which makes working in well-ventilated areas or using fume hoods essential when handling this compound in laboratory or industrial settings.
Ingestion of 2-(Diethylamino)ethanol is considered highly toxic, as it can cause severe burns to the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach, along with systemic effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or central nervous system depression, highlighting the importance of preventing accidental ingestion and ensuring that it is stored securely away from food or drink.
