Amines glossary A to Z

Alphabetically by chemical name. Leading numbers, letters and prefixes such as 2-, N,N-, o-, m-, p-, sec-, tert- and (R)- are ignored when filing a name, so 2-Ethylhexylamine appears under E, N-Methylaniline under M and tert-Butylamine under B. Use the search box if you are unsure.

A CAS Registry Number is a unique numeric identifier assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to a single chemical substance. It removes the confusion caused by trade names, synonyms and abbreviations, so it is the safest way to specify an amine on a purchase order.

A CAS number has three parts separated by hyphens: up to seven digits, then two digits, then a single check digit. For example, monoethanolamine is 141-43-5 and triethylamine is 121-44-8.

Different forms of a substance get their own numbers. An anhydrous amine, its hydrate, its salt and each pure stereoisomer are registered separately, for example piperazine anhydrous and piperazine hexahydrate, or racemic and (R)/(S) 1-phenylethylamine.

Trade abbreviations overlap. DEA can mean diethanolamine or diethylamine, TEA can mean triethanolamine or triethylamine, and DMA can mean dimethylamine or N,N-dimethylaniline. Always quote the CAS number on an enquiry or purchase order to avoid receiving the wrong product.

A primary amine has one carbon group attached to the nitrogen, such as methylamine. A secondary amine has two, such as diethylamine. A tertiary amine has three, such as triethylamine. The type affects reactivity, basicity and which applications the amine suits.

Alkanolamines such as MEA, DEA, TEA and MDEA are used for acid gas removal in refineries and gas plants, as neutralisers in detergents and personal care, as cement grinding aids, and as corrosion inhibitors in metalworking fluids.

Ethyleneamines such as EDA, DETA, TETA and TEPA are used as epoxy curing agents, raw materials for chelating agents like EDTA, lube oil and fuel additives, paper wet-strength resins and asphalt additives.

No. The CAS number identifies the substance only. Grade, assay, moisture and impurity limits are set by the specification, so check the certificate of analysis for each batch.

Yes. Send the CAS number, grade, monthly quantity and delivery location. The quote comes back with packing, freight and dispatch date together.

Yes. Send the CAS number, grade and monthly quantity and we will source it against your specification.