What is diethanolamine (DEA)? Uses and supply

Diethanolamine (DEA, CAS 111-42-2, formula C4H11NO2) is a secondary ethanolamine carrying two hydroxyethyl groups on a single nitrogen atom; at room temperature it is a colorless to pale-yellow viscous clear liquid or a white solid. Its most common applications are glyphosate (herbicide) production, the removal of acidic gases from natural gas and flue gases, detergent and personal-care formulations, and metalworking fluids.

What is diethanolamine (DEA)?

Diethanolamine is the middle member of the ethanolamine family: monoethanolamine (MEA) carries one hydroxyethyl group and triethanolamine (TEA) three, while DEA carries two. With the formula C4H11NO2, it is a bifunctional compound bearing both an amine (-NH) function and two hydroxyl (-OH) functions. This structure gives DEA value both as a weakly basic compound (capturing acidic gases) and as a surfactant intermediate.

The pure DEA in the KORKİMYA portfolio contains at least 99.2% diethanolamine; water content is at most 0.3% and color (Pt.-Co.) at most 20. The crystallization point is around +26.5 °C, so the product can solidify in cold weather and may need heating before bulk or drum transfer. Its appearance is a colorless to pale-yellow viscous clear liquid, or a white to pale-yellow solid free of mechanical residue.

What is diethanolamine used for?

DEA is used across many industries, either as a direct process chemical or as an intermediate. Its main applications include:

• Glyphosate production: as a key intermediate in the synthesis of a widely used herbicide.
• Gas treatment: removing acidic gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas, syngas and flue gases (gas sweetening).
• Detergents and cleaners: as a foam stabilizer and an intermediate for fatty-acid derivatives (diethanolamides).
• Personal care products: as a surfactant and emulsifier intermediate.
• Metalworking fluids: as a corrosion inhibitor and pH buffer in cutting and grinding fluids.
• Plastic and rubber additive; processing aid in paper, textile and leather operations.

Its role in gas treatment

Ethanolamines are core gas-treatment chemicals because they reversibly capture acidic gases and release them again when heated. Compared with MEA, DEA shows a lower vapor pressure and a lower tendency to cause corrosion, so it is preferred for the selective treatment of gas streams containing hydrogen sulfide. In this application, the water content and color value of DEA directly affect the foaming and discoloration behavior of the solution.

Technical specifications and concentration

Pure DEA and the two ethanolamines it is compared with (MEA and TEA) come from the same reaction family, but differ in the number of hydroxyethyl groups, physical form and primary use. The comparison below positions DEA using values grounded in the product data:

DEA is supplied as a single pure grade (min 99.2%); gas-treatment plants typically use DEA diluted with water to a specific concentration in their process. The right grade and packaging depend on your application and dosing setup; you can request a CoA and TDS for the technical data.

Selection, storage and safety

• Keep separate from acids and acid-forming substances, as DEA reacts with them.
• Keep the storage temperature in the 20-40 °C range; below +26.5 °C it can crystallize and solidify.
• Discoloration may occur during prolonged storage; shelf life is 12 months.
• Keep packaging tightly closed and protect from moisture and air contact, as DEA is hygroscopic.
• Choose the packaging that suits your form and dosing: 220 kg steel drum, 235 kg plastic drum, 1100 kg net IBC or bulk.

DEA supply from KORKİMYA

KORKİMYA delivers pure diethanolamine (DEA) ex-stock from domestic inventory and offers it KKDIK-registered. A Turkish-language Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is supplied with the product; a certificate of analysis (CoA) and technical data sheet (TDS) are shared on request. To request a sample and a price quote, use the inquiry form on the product page.