DIDECYLAMINE

Didecylamine is a white to off-white crystalline solid secondary amine with linear formula [CH₃(CH₂)₉]₂NH, molecular formula C₂₀H₄₃N, molecular weight 297.56 g/mol, CAS number 1120-49-6, EC number 214-312-1, melting point 38–40°C, boiling point 179–180°C at 2 mmHg, density 0.7963 g/cm³, refractive index 1.4552, pungent characteristic amine odour, and pKa 10.87±0.19; it is a long-chain dialkyl secondary amine belonging to the fatty amine family, commercially available under trade names Armeen 2-10, Radiamine 6310, and Fentamine SA10.
Didecylamine is an important chemical building block and nitrogen-containing organic intermediate used as a precursor in the synthesis of didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and other quaternary ammonium biocides, as a surfactant, emulsifier, and corrosion inhibitor in metalworking fluids, coatings, oil field services, and water treatment, and as a flotation agent and collector in mineral processing and mining.
Didecylamine is classified under GHS with Signal Word Warning (H315 causes skin irritation; H319 causes serious eye irritation; H335 may cause respiratory irritation; H400 very toxic to aquatic life; H410 very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects); it is also reported with H302 and H314 in a subset of ECHA C&L notifications, and must be handled with appropriate protective equipment with strict prevention of entry into drains and water courses.

CAS Number: 1120-49-6
EC Number: 214-312-1
Molecular Formula: C₂₀H₄₃N
Molecular Weight: 297.56 g/mol

Synonyms: N-Decyldecan-1-amine, N-decyldecan-1-amine, Di-n-decylamine, N,N-Didecylamine, bis(decyl)amine, 1-Decanamine N-decyl-, N-decyl-1-decanamine, N-Decyldecanamine, Armeen 2-10, Radiamine 6310, Fentamine SA10, Didecylamine 98%, EINECS 214-312-1, MFCD00048396, BRN 1763492, FDA UNII 82R4O8EP59, CAS 1120-49-6

Built from two ten-carbon alkyl chains attached to one nitrogen atom, Didecylamine belongs to the secondary fatty amine family.
The molecular structure of Didecylamine combines a basic amine centre with two strongly hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains.

With the molecular formula C₂₀H₄₃N, Didecylamine has a molecular weight of approximately 297.56 g/mol.
A melting range near 38–40°C causes Didecylamine to appear as a waxy solid or a low-melting material depending on ambient temperature.

Under reduced pressure of 2 mmHg, Didecylamine boils at approximately 179–180°C.
A relatively high flash point allows Didecylamine to remain less volatile than many lower-molecular-weight aliphatic amines.

Only limited dissolution occurs when Didecylamine comes into contact with water.
Chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexane, and other organic media dissolve Didecylamine more readily than water.

The nitrogen atom enables Didecylamine to accept a proton and form salts with mineral or organic acids.
Salt formation can improve the dispersibility and formulation behaviour of Didecylamine in different media.

At interfaces between oil and water, Didecylamine can help reduce interfacial tension.
The combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions gives Didecylamine useful surface-active properties.

Industrial emulsions and dispersions may use Didecylamine to improve the distribution of incompatible phases.
In detergent and cleaning formulations, Didecylamine can contribute to wetting and surface interaction.

Metal surfaces can adsorb Didecylamine through the nitrogen-containing functional group.
Once adsorbed, Didecylamine can form a hydrophobic film that limits contact between the metal and corrosive media.

Metalworking fluids, lubricants, and rust-preventive formulations may incorporate Didecylamine as a functional additive.
In oil and gas operations, Didecylamine can support corrosion-control formulations designed for pipelines and processing equipment.

Mineral-flotation systems may employ Didecylamine as a collector that modifies the surface properties of selected particles.
By increasing mineral hydrophobicity, Didecylamine can promote attachment of the target particles to air bubbles.

Textile and polymer formulations can use Didecylamine or its derivatives to reduce static-electricity accumulation.
Surface modification provided by Didecylamine may also improve softness, lubrication, and processing behaviour.

As a reactive chemical intermediate, Didecylamine supports the production of tertiary amines and other nitrogen-containing derivatives.
Alkylation of the remaining nitrogen–hydrogen bond converts Didecylamine into substituted tertiary amines.

Methylation processes can transform Didecylamine into intermediates used in the manufacture of quaternary ammonium compounds.
Cationic and amphoteric surfactant systems frequently rely on derivatives prepared from Didecylamine.

Long hydrocarbon chains make Didecylamine suitable for introducing oil solubility into nitrogen-containing molecules.
The secondary amine group allows Didecylamine to participate in alkylation, acylation, and salt-forming reactions.

Uses of Didecylamine:
Didecylamine is one of the most important precursors for the synthesis of didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and other didecyl quaternary ammonium compounds, which are among the most widely used cationic surfactants and biocides in textile printing and dyeing, washing products, disinfectants, oil field exploitation, and industrial cleaning.
Didecylamine functions as a corrosion inhibitor in metalworking fluids, coatings, and industrial process fluids, where the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom enables adsorption onto metal surfaces to form a protective barrier against acidic and aqueous corrosion; it is also used as a corrosion inhibitor additive in oil field services and pipeline treatment.
Didecylamine is used as a collector and flotation agent in the mining and mineral processing industries for the recovery and purification of non-sulfide minerals including phosphates, silicates, and oxides, where it acts as a cationic collector that adsorbs onto mineral surfaces and selectively renders them hydrophobic for froth flotation separation.
Didecylamine serves as a surfactant and emulsifier in coatings, lubricants, greases, resins, and rubber formulations, providing surface-active properties including wetting, dispersing, and antifoaming effects; it is used in personal care and cosmetics as a fatty amine ingredient conferring conditioning and emulsifying properties.
Didecylamine is used as an organic synthesis building block for the preparation of specialty amides, imines, enamines, and other nitrogen-containing compounds for pharmaceutical chemistry research, agrochemical intermediates, and functional materials development.
Didecylamine has been reported as a substrate for the growth of gram-negative Pseudomonas sp. bacteria obtained from activated sludge, indicating potential for bioremediation research, and is used as a biochemical reagent in life science research applications.
Didecylamine is used in water treatment and pool chemicals, textile auxiliaries, plastic additives, resin and rubber formulations, detergents and cleaners, and as a pigment wetting agent and asphalt emulsifier in road construction applications.

Benefits and Advantages of Didecylamine:
The two C10 (n-decyl) alkyl chains of didecylamine provide an optimised balance of hydrophobicity and nitrogen basicity (pKa 10.87), making it highly effective as a cationic surfactant, collector, and corrosion inhibitor at lower dosage rates compared with shorter- or longer-chain secondary amines.
Didecylamine is the key precursor for DDAC synthesis — one of the most commercially important quaternary ammonium biocides — via N-methylation and quaternisation, offering a direct and economical synthetic route from an industrially available fatty amine to a broad-spectrum antimicrobial active ingredient used in food industry disinfection, textile, and cleaning applications.
The moderate melting point of 38–40°C allows didecylamine to be handled either as a solid at room temperature or as a low-viscosity melt at slightly elevated temperatures, providing flexibility in dosing, formulation, and process integration across batch and continuous manufacturing environments.
Didecylamine is commercially available at ≥95% and ≥98% purity in solid form, with established quality specifications including GC purity, non-aqueous titration (≥97%), and NMR identity confirmation, supporting consistent quality in downstream chemical synthesis and formulation.

Features of Didecylamine:
Didecylamine is a white to off-white (beige) crystalline solid or low-melting solid at room temperature with a pungent characteristic amine odour; it melts at 38–40°C to give a colourless to pale liquid, density 0.7963 g/cm³ (estimated), refractive index 1.4552 (estimated), boiling point 179–180°C at 2 mmHg, and flash point 113°C (closed cup).
Didecylamine is insoluble in water (1.1×10⁻³ g/L at 25°C), slightly soluble in chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexanes; it is a strong base (pKa 10.87) that forms salts readily with mineral and organic acids and must be stored away from CO₂ to prevent carbamate formation; vapour pressure is 0.0±0.8 mmHg at 25°C.
The molecular structure consists of two n-decyl chains attached to a secondary amine nitrogen, PSA 12.03 Ų, logP 7.25, heavy atom count 21, and 1 hydrogen bond donor and 1 hydrogen bond acceptor; the high logP confirms very high lipophilicity and negligible aqueous solubility, consistent with its use in non-polar media and as a hydrophobic collector.
Didecylamine is combustible (NFPA 704: Health 2, Fire 1, Reactivity 0) and is stable under recommended storage conditions; it is incompatible with strong oxidising agents and strong acids; purification is carried out by dissolution in benzene, precipitation as the bisulfate with 4M H₂SO₄, and liberation of the free base with NaOH.

Chemical Properties of Didecylamine:
Didecylamine has IUPAC name N-decyldecan-1-amine, linear formula [CH₃(CH₂)₉]₂NH, SMILES CCCCCCCCCCNCCCCCCCCCC, InChI=1S/C20H43N/c1-3-5-7-9-11-13-15-17-19-21-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2/h21H,3-20H2,1-2H3, InChIKey GMTCPFCMAHMENT-UHFFFAOYSA-N; PubChem CID 14261, ChemSpider ID 13623, ECHA InfoCard listed under EC 214-312-1, Beilstein/REAXYS 1763492, MDL MFCD00048396, UNSPSC 12352100, NACRES NA.22, FDA UNII 82R4O8EP59, SDBS (AIST) 11133.
The secondary amine nitrogen of didecylamine carries one N–H hydrogen and two n-decyl substituents; it is a strong Brønsted base (pKa 10.87) that reacts readily with Brønsted acids including HCl, H₂SO₄, acetic acid, and fatty acids to form the corresponding ammonium salts; it undergoes alkylation with alkyl halides and epoxides to yield tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium salts, and reacts with acyl chlorides and anhydrides to give secondary amides.
The most important derivative pathway for didecylamine in industry is N-methylation to form N,N-dimethyldidecylamine (didecyldimethylamine), followed by quaternisation with methyl chloride to yield didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC, CAS 7173-51-5), a major cationic surfactant biocide; alternatively, reaction with formaldehyde and reduction (reductive amination) or reaction with epoxides produces additional functional derivatives.
Didecylamine is stable under neutral and mildly basic conditions; under fire conditions it decomposes to carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ); incompatible with strong oxidising agents and strong acids; IARC lists no component as probable, possible, or confirmed human carcinogen; NFPA 704: 2-1-0.

Production of Didecylamine:
Didecylamine is produced industrially primarily by the reductive amination of n-decanal (decyl aldehyde) with n-decylamine in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst, or by the condensation of n-decanol with ammonia or primary amine over a dehydration–hydrogenation catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure to yield the dialkylamine.
An alternative synthetic route involves the reaction of n-decylamine (1-decanamine) with 1-bromodecane in the presence of a base (such as K₂CO₃ or NaOH) in a suitable solvent to give didecylamine by N-alkylation; purification of the crude product is carried out by dissolution in benzene, precipitation as the bisulfate salt by shaking with 4M H₂SO₄, filtration, centrifugation, and liberation of the free amine base with NaOH.
Didecylamine is commercially available at ≥95% purity (GC) or ≥97–98% purity (non-aqueous titration or GC), confirmed by NMR identity, as a white to off-white solid or low-melting solid; storage is recommended in a dark place under inert atmosphere at room temperature (below 15°C recommended for longer shelf life).

Didecylamine Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):

Handling of Didecylamine:
Didecylamine must be handled with appropriate precautions due to its skin and eye irritation potential (H315, H319), respiratory irritation hazard (H335), and very high aquatic toxicity (H400, H410); dust and aerosol formation must be avoided at all times, and handling must be performed with adequate exhaust ventilation.
Avoid contact with skin and eyes; do not breathe dust, fumes, gas, mist, vapours, or spray; do not allow product to enter drains or water courses; wash hands thoroughly after handling; contaminated work clothing should be washed before reuse.

Didecylamine SDS:

Stability and Reactivity of Didecylamine:

Chemical stability:
Didecylamine is stable under recommended storage conditions in a dark place under inert atmosphere at room temperature.
Didecylamine is a strong base and must be stored away from CO₂ (carbamate formation) and away from moisture.

Reactivity:
Didecylamine reacts with strong acids to form ammonium salts and with alkyl halides and epoxides to give tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Under fire conditions it decomposes to carbon oxides (CO, CO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).

Conditions to avoid:
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) — forms carbamate salt on exposure.
Strong oxidising agents.
Strong acids (exothermic salt formation).
Dust formation and aerosol dispersion.
Direct contact with water courses and drains (H400, H410).

Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidising agents.
Strong acids.

Hazardous decomposition products:
Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).

Handling and Storage of Didecylamine:

Handling:
Handle in areas with adequate exhaust ventilation; avoid dust and aerosol formation.
Avoid contact with skin and eyes; do not breathe dust, fumes, vapours, or spray.
Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and face protection.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas; wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Do not allow product to enter drains or water courses (very toxic to aquatic life).

Storage:
Store in a dark place under inert atmosphere at room temperature (below 15°C recommended for extended shelf life).
Keep container tightly closed in a dry, well-ventilated place away from CO₂ and moisture.
Refrigerated storage at 2–8°C under inert atmosphere for pharmaceutical reference standard grade.
Ship at ambient conditions.
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA): Not dangerous goods.

First Aid Measures for Didecylamine:

Inhalation:
Move the affected person to fresh air immediately; if not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.

Skin contact:
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician if irritation develops or persists.

Eye contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, and continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes.
Consult a physician immediately.

Ingestion:
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; rinse the mouth with water.
Consult a physician immediately.

Firefighting Measures for Didecylamine:

Suitable extinguishing media:
Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide.

Specific hazards:
Didecylamine is a combustible solid (flash point 113°C); combustion releases carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).
NFPA 704: Health 2 / Fire 1 / Reactivity 0.

Protective equipment for firefighters:
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) should be worn for firefighting if necessary.

Firefighting procedures:
Prevent contaminated firefighting water from entering drains or water courses (very toxic to aquatic life).
Cool containers exposed to fire with water spray.

Accidental Release Measures for Didecylamine:

Personal precautions:
Use personal protective equipment; avoid dust formation and breathing of vapours, mist, or dust.
Ensure adequate ventilation; evacuate personnel to safe areas.

Environmental precautions:
Do not allow product to enter drains or water courses (H400, H410 — very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects).
Notify environmental authorities if significant spillage reaches water.

Clean-up methods:
Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust; sweep up and shovel into suitable closed containers.
Do not wash into drains; dispose of collected waste according to applicable regulations.

Exposure Controls / Personal Protective Equipment for Didecylamine:

Engineering controls:
Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at all places where dust or aerosol may form.
No established occupational exposure limit for didecylamine.

Eye protection:
Safety glasses with side shields conforming to EN 166; equipment tested and approved under NIOSH (US) or EN 166 (EU).

Hand protection:
Chemical-resistant gloves conforming to EU Regulation 2016/425 and EN 374; inspect gloves before use and dispose of contaminated gloves after use.

Skin and body protection:
Impervious protective clothing; type selected according to concentration and amount at the specific workplace.

Respiratory protection:
For nuisance exposures use type P95 (US) or type P1 (EU EN 143) particle respirator.
For higher protection use type OV/AG/P99 (US) or type ABEK-P2 (EU EN 143) respirator cartridges tested under NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

Hygiene measures:
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of the workday; do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas; remove contaminated clothing before leaving the work area.

Didecylamine Identifiers:
CAS Number: 1120-49-6
EC Number: 214-312-1
MDL Number: MFCD00048396
PubChem CID: 14261
PubChem Substance ID: 24856045 / 87567121
ChemSpider ID: 13623
Beilstein/REAXYS: 1763492
SDBS (AIST): 11133
FDA UNII: 82R4O8EP59
IUPAC Name: N-decyldecan-1-amine
Linear Formula: [CH₃(CH₂)₉]₂NH
Molecular Formula: C₂₀H₄₃N
Molecular Weight: 297.56 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass: 297.339550 Da
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCNCCCCCCCCCC
InChI: InChI=1S/C20H43N/c1-3-5-7-9-11-13-15-17-19-21-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2/h21H,3-20H2,1-2H3
InChIKey: GMTCPFCMAHMENT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
pKa: 10.87±0.19 (predicted)
logP: 7.25 (XLogP)
PSA: 12.03 Ų
GHS Signal Word: Warning
GHS Hazard Statements: H315, H319, H335, H400, H410
GHS Precautionary Statements: P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P312, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P391, P405, P501
NFPA 704: Health 2 / Fire 1 / Reactivity 0
Hazard Class: 8 (corrosive, per some classifications)
RIDADR: UN 2735
Packing Group: II
WGK Germany: 3
Risk Statements (R): R36/37/38
Safety Statements (S): S26, S36
Transport: Not dangerous goods (ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA)
TSCA: Listed
EINECS: Listed
KECL: Listed
China IECSC: Listed
NZIoC: Listed
UNSPSC: 12352100
NACRES: NA.22

Properties of Didecylamine:
Physical state: Solid (melts at 38–40°C)
Appearance: White to off-white (beige) crystalline powder or low-melting solid
Odour: Pungent characteristic amine odour
Linear formula: [CH₃(CH₂)₉]₂NH
Molecular formula: C₂₀H₄₃N
Molecular weight: 297.56 g/mol
Melting point: 38–40°C (lit.); 32°C (alternate source)
Boiling point: 179–180°C at 2 mmHg (lit.)
Flash point: 113°C (closed cup); >230°F (>110°C) per alternate source
Density: 0.7963 g/cm³ (estimated); 0.809 g/cm³ (alternate)
Refractive index: 1.4552 (estimated); 1.447 (alternate)
Vapour pressure: 0.0±0.8 mmHg at 25°C
Water solubility: Insoluble (1.1×10⁻³ g/L at 25°C)
Solubility in organics: Slightly soluble in chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexanes
pKa: 10.87±0.19 (predicted)
logP: 7.25
PSA: 12.03 Ų
GHS Classification: Warning — H315, H319, H335, H400, H410
Storage: Dark place, inert atmosphere, room temperature (<15°C)

Didecylamine Properties — Specifications:
Product name: Didecylamine (N-Decyldecan-1-amine)
CAS Number: 1120-49-6
EC Number: 214-312-1
Molecular Formula: C₂₀H₄₃N
Molecular Weight: 297.56 g/mol
Purity (GC): ≥95% or ≥98%
Purity (non-aqueous titration): ≥97.0%
NMR: Confirm to structure
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline solid
Melting point: 38–40°C
Density: 0.7963 g/cm³ (estimated)
Refractive index: 1.4552
Storage: Dark place, inert atmosphere, room temperature; 2–8°C refrigerator for reference standard grade
Format: Solid
Documents: CoA (Certificate of Analysis), MSDS/SDS available

Names of Didecylamine:
Didecylamine
N-Decyldecan-1-amine
N-decyldecan-1-amine
Di-n-decylamine
N,N-Didecylamine
bis(decyl)amine
1-Decanamine, N-decyl-
N-decyl-1-decanamine
N-Decyldecanamine
Armeen 2-10
Radiamine 6310
Fentamine SA10
Didecylamine 98%
MFCD00048396
BRN 1763492
CAS 1120-49-6