Ethanolamines  (updated in 2010)

Monoetanolamin (I) | Dietanolamin (II) | Trietanolamin (III)

Ethanolamines have a wide range of both industrial and domestic uses. They have both alcohol and amine as functional groups, which means that they can also be used in the form of various derivates. 

Ethanolamines are colourless liquids with an ammonia-like smell. Mono- and diethanolamine are approximately as basic as ammonia dissolved in water, while triethanolamine is a somewhat weaker base. The addition of about 15% water to the ethanolamines reduces the melting point so that the substances can be handled as liquids at normal temperatures. The ethanolamines are strongly hygroscopic. 

They occur in cleansing agents of various kinds. Monoethanolamine is used, for example, in wax remover. In cleaning agents which come into contact with the skin, triethanolamine is mostly used, being gentler on the skin. Derivates of ethanolamines are also used in many products. Neutral soaps made from ethanolamines and fatty acids are important emulsifiers. Ethanolamides, which are also made from ethanolamines and fatty acids, but at higher temperature, are used as foam stabilisers in products like shampoo, washing up liquid etc. Anionic tensides lik LAS occur as ethanolamine salts, to give the end product a faintly basic or neutral pH.

Another important use of ethanolamines is as corrosion inhibitors in various lubricants, machining fluids and cooling systems. They also occur in different types of adhesives, where they have several functions. In the textile industry, ethanolamines and their derivates are used at various stages of production, just as in plastic and pulp manufacturing.

In gas purification, ethanolamines react with hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide or other acid gases, forming water-soluble salts. The ethanolamine can then be regenerated. Usually monoethanolamine is used. Diethanolamine, on the other hand, is used when there is carbonyl sulphide in the gas because monoethanolamine cannot be regenerated after reacting with that particular substance. Low concentrations of triethanolamine, or salts of it, are added in cement grinding, to reduce flocculation of the particles. The substance is also used in other connections in cement production.

Production of ethanolamines is increasing and is estimated at about 1400,000 tonnes in 2010, 41% of which is produced in North America, 29% in Western Europe and 20% in the Pacific Ocean area.

Ethanolamines are produced from ethylene oxide and ammonia and have been commercially available for more than 50 years.

Contact person: Margareta Östman,  Tel +468 519 411 62
Swedish Chemicals Agency Box 2 SE-172 13 Sundbyberg, kemi@kemi.se
Tel +468 519 411 00 Fax +468 735 7698