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CAS no: 108-01-0
EC / List no: 203-542-8
Chemical formula: C4H11NO
Synonyms: (2-Hydroxyethyl)dimethylamine, (Dimethylamino)ethanol, 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one, 2-(Dimethylamine)ethanol, 2-(Dimethylamino) ethanol, 2-(Dimethylamino)-1-ethanol, 2-(Dimethylamino)-ethanol, 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol, 2-(DIMETHYLAMINO)ETHANOL, 2-(N,N-Dimethylamino)ethanol, 2-Diethylaminoethanol, 2-Dimethyiaminoethanol, 2-Dimethylamino ethanol, 2-DIMETHYLAMINO-ETHANOL, 2-DIMETHYLAMINOAETHANOL, 2-dimethylamino-ethanol, 2-Dimethylaminoethanol, 2-Dimethylaminoethanol (N,N-Dimethylethanolamine), 2-Dimethylaminoethanol; N,N-Dimethyl-2-aminoethanol, Amietol M 21, Aminoethanol, 2-(dimethyl)-, BETA-DIMETHYLAMINOETHANOL, BETA-DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL ALCOHOL, BETA-HYDROXYETHYLDIMETHYLAMINE, Bimanol, DEANOL, Deanol, Dimethyl ethanolamine, DIMETHYL MEA, DIMETHYL(2-HYDROXYETHYL)AMINE, Dimethyl(hydroxyethyl)amine, Dimethylamino ethanol, Dimethylaminoaethanol, Dimethylaminoaethanol(GERMAN), dimethylaminoethanol, Dimethylaminoethanol, Dimethylaminoethanol (2-), 2-(dimethylamino)ethan-1-ol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, DMAE, Dimethylethanolamine, N,N-Dimethylethanolamine, N,N-dimethylethanolamine,
2-Dimethylaminoethanol, also widely recognized as dimethylethanolamine or deanol (CAS: 108-01-0), is a versatile organic compound characterized by a unique dual-functional molecular structure containing both a tertiary amine group and a primary alcohol group. It typically appears as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a faint, characteristic amine or ammonia-like odor.
Synthesized via the reaction of ethylene oxide with dimethylamine—or through the amination of ethylene glycol—2-Dimethylaminoethanol is highly soluble in water, alcohol, and common organic solvents. This exceptional miscibility, combined with its moderate basicity and high reactivity, makes it an indispensable chemical intermediate, neutralizing agent, polyurethane catalyst, and high-performance cosmetic ingredient.
Key Properties of 2-Dimethylaminoethanol
Molar Mass: 89.14 g/mol
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Ammonia-like amine odor
Density: ~0.89 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)
Boiling Point: ~134–136 °C
Melting Point: ~−70 °C
Solubility: Completely miscible with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents
Flash Point: ~41 °C
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature
Refractive Index: ~1.43
Viscosity: Low viscosity liquid
pH: Strongly alkaline in aqueous solution
Chemical Structure: Tertiary amine alcohol containing both amino and hydroxyl functional groups
Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions; hygroscopic in nature
Reactivity: Reacts with acids, oxidizing agents, and alkylating compounds
Main Function: Chemical intermediate, neutralizing agent, and corrosion inhibitor component
Thermal Stability: Good thermal stability under industrial processing conditions
Structure and Chemical Behavior
The unique performance profile of 2-Dimethylaminoethanol stems directly from the proximity of its amine and hydroxyl functional groups. This dual-functionality provides several processing advantages:
Multifunctional Reactivity: It exhibits the chemical properties of both a tertiary amine and a primary alcohol, allowing it to act simultaneously as a ligand, catalyst, and building block.
Effective pH Buffering: Possesses strong alkalinity and a dipole moment of 2.56 D, making it highly efficient at neutralizing acidic components and stabilizing formulations.
Ligand Capabilities: Functions as an effective ligand in coordination chemistry, notably in the synthesis of NNO-tridentate Schiff base ligands and copper-catalyzed amination reactions.
Key Advantages of 2-Dimethylaminoethanol
Integrating 2-Dimethylaminoethanol into chemical systems and consumer products delivers targeted benefits:
Excellent Solubility & Compatibility: Easily bridges aqueous and organic phases, ensuring smooth integration into complex formulations.
Processing and Curing Efficiency: Elevates polymerization and curing profiles in thermosetting resin systems without compromising stability.
Enhanced Formulation Stability: Prevents particle aggregation in specialized systems, ensuring consistent viscosity and shelf-life.
Biological Precursor Activity: Acts as a well-documented biochemical precursor to acetylcholine, driving high value in both therapeutic and cosmetic applications.
Industrial Applications
Polyurethane Catalysts and Resin Production
2-Dimethylaminoethanol is a vital component in the plastics and polymer synthesis industry.
Functions as a polyurethane catalyst, balancing the foaming and curing profiles during the production of flexible and rigid PU foams.
Acts as an essential ingredient in the synthesis of amino resins, acrylics, and specialized coating polymers.
Paints, Coatings, and Epoxy Formulations
In the coatings sector, 2-Dimethylaminoethanol serves multiple high-performance roles:
Curing Agent: Accelerates the curing rate of epoxy resins and polyurethane coatings, enhancing overall adhesion, structural hardness, and film durability.
Paint Additive: Utilized as a specialized additive in industrial paint formulations and paint removers to optimize solubility and application properties.
Water Treatment and Gas Treatment Chemicals
Boiler Water Additive: Extensively used in water treatment systems to neutralize carbonic acid, control pH levels, prevent scaling, and protect metal equipment from internal corrosion.
Gas Sweetening: Functions as an efficient amine solvent and pH regulating agent in gas treatment systems to scrub acidic contaminants.
Textiles and Dye Synthesis
Applied as a functional intermediate in the production of high-grade industrial dyestuffs and textile auxiliaries.
Acts as an efficient dye-fixing agent, increasing color fastness on fabrics while simultaneously lowering wastewater toxicity.
Advanced Energy and Material Science
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs): Used to functionalize sensitizers in solar technology, effectively preventing dye aggregation and boosting dye adsorption density on substrates.
Catalytic Synthesis: Aids in preparing zinc alkoxide complexes that catalyze the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide for biodegradable polymers. It is also utilized in the synthesis of high-purity ionic liquids.
Agrochemicals, Petroleum, and Specialty Synthetics
Employed as a processing aid specific to petroleum production and oil-water separation systems.
Serves as a flexible intermediate for manufacturing custom surfactants, industrial emulsifiers, and agricultural chemical actives.
Personal Care and Cosmetic Applications
2-Dimethylaminoethanol is highly celebrated in the personal care industry as a premium anti-aging and skin-firming active:
Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Agent: By serving as a precursor to acetylcholine, it interacts with skin cell membranes to tighten sagging areas, improve overall skin elasticity, and visibly lift mature skin.
Formulation Stabilizer: Functions as an antioxidant and pH buffer, neutralizing free radicals while ensuring the long-term emulsion stability of anti-aging creams, lotions, and serums.
Pharmaceuticals and Biochemical Research
CNS Stimulant: Historically and therapeutically documented as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and cognitive health compound.
Pharmaceutical Intermediate: Extensively utilized as a raw building block to synthesize anticholinergic therapeutics, local anesthetics, and mixed-metal complex structures.
Biochemical Research: Serves as a versatile tool in life sciences for removing benzyl ester groups from protected tripeptides via transesterification.
As a multifunctional building block, 2-Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) continues to be indispensable across diverse global sectors, including coatings, water treatment, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Whether optimizing the structural integrity of industrial polymers or enhancing skin elasticity in cosmetics, its unique chemical profile delivers reliable stability and enhanced efficiency. Offering outstanding performance at optimized processing scales, 2-Dimethylaminoethanol stands as a key material for manufacturers aiming to balance cost-efficiency with high-quality, long-lasting formulation results.
