Diethylethanolamine

Diethylethanolamine is the organic compound with the molecular formula. A colorless liquid, is used as a precursor in the production of a variety of chemical commodities such as the local anesthetic procaine.

Applications

Diethylethanolamine is used as a corrosion inhibitor in steam and condensate lines by neutralizing carbonic acid and scavenging oxygen.
Diethylethanolamine reacts with 4-aminobenzoic acid to make procaine.
DEAE is a precursor for DEAE-cellulose resin, which is commonly used in ion exchange chromatography.
it can decrease the surface tension of water when the temperature is increased.
Solutions of DEAE absorb carbon dioxide.

Preparation

Diethylethanolamine is prepared commercially by the reaction of diethylamine and ethylene oxide.
It is also possible to prepare it by the nucleophilic substitution of diethylamine and 2-chloroethanol.

Safety

Diethylethanolamine 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 over an eight-hour workday.