1,1′-Iminodipropan-2-ol · DIPA flakes or molten, DIPA 85–90% aqueous, LR and AR grades
Diisopropanolamine is a secondary amino alcohol with two 2-hydroxypropyl arms — a selective gas-sweetening solvent, a carbomer neutraliser for personal care and a versatile additive in coatings and polyurethanes. Chelora Amines supplies it worldwide to gas-processing, personal care, coatings, metalworking and chemical plants across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, as well as throughout India, with a batch-wise COA and SDS on every dispatch.
72.07 + 15.12 + 14.01 + 32.00 = 133.19 g/mol
Diisopropanolamine, usually shortened to DIPA and also called 1,1′-iminodipropan-2-ol or bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, is a secondary amine with two branched hydroxypropyl groups. It is a moderate base, low in volatility and highly soluble in water.
Pure DIPA is a white, waxy solid that melts at about 42–45 °C, so it is supplied as flakes or as a solid in drums for melting, or as an aqueous solution of about 85–90% that stays liquid and is easy to pump. Like other amines it absorbs CO₂ and water from the air.
Industrially, DIPA is made by reacting propylene oxide with ammonia, which gives MIPA, DIPA and TIPA together; the three are separated by distillation. As a secondary amine it can form nitrosamines with nitrosating agents, so nitrites should be kept out of DIPA-containing formulations.
| Chemical name | 1,1′-Iminodipropan-2-ol (diisopropanolamine) |
| Common synonyms | Diisopropanolamine, DIPA, bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, 1,1′-iminobis(2-propanol) |
| CAS number | 110-97-4 |
| EC / EINECS number | 203-820-9 |
| HS / HSN code | 2922 19 (harmonised heading used worldwide; HSN 2922 19 on Indian invoices) |
| Molecular formula | C₆H₁₅NO₂ ([CH₃CH(OH)CH₂]₂NH) |
| Molecular weight | 133.19 g/mol |
| Appearance | White waxy solid or flakes; clear liquid when molten or in aqueous solution |
| Odour | Faint, ammoniacal |
| Melting point | About 42–45 °C |
| Boiling point | About 249 °C |
| Density | About 0.99 g/cm³ (molten, about 45 °C) |
| Vapour pressure | Below 0.01 hPa at 20 °C |
| Solubility in water | Highly soluble, roughly 870 g/L at 20 °C |
| pH | About 11 (aqueous solution) |
| Flash point | About 127 °C (closed cup) |
| Auto-ignition temperature | About 375 °C |
| Transport | Generally not regulated as a dangerous good for transport — confirm on the SDS for your batch |
Figures are typical literature values for orientation. Values for the material you order are stated on its Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet.
One N–H and two secondary hydroxyl groups on branched arms explain what DIPA is used for: selective acid-gas absorption, mild neutralisation and reactive sites for amides, esters and polyols. These are the jobs formulators and process chemists reach for it to do.
Reacts quickly with H₂S and more slowly with CO₂, which allows selective sweetening of gas streams, often blended with a physical solvent such as sulfolane.
R₂NH + H₂S ⇌ R₂NH₂⁺ HS⁻Neutralises acrylic thickeners such as carbomers to build clear, stable gels with a mild, low-odour base.
polyacrylic acid + DIPA → gelForms soluble salts with fatty, sulfonic and acidic herbicide acids for emulsifiers, detergents and agrochemical formulations.
RCOOH + DIPA → RCOO⁻ DIPAH⁺Neutralises acrylic and alkyd binders in waterborne coatings and acts as a pigment dispersant and co-solvent.
binder–COOH + DIPA → saltActs as a chain extender and crosslinker in polyurethane foams and elastomers, and as an initiator for polyols.
DIPA + n PO → polyolCondenses with fatty acids or esters to give fatty diisopropanolamides used as emulsifiers and thickeners.
RCOOCH₃ + DIPA → RCON[CH₂CH(OH)CH₃]₂Raises pH and forms protective films and soaps in metalworking fluids and corrosion-inhibitor packages.
moderate base, low volatilityAs a secondary amine, DIPA reacts with nitrites and other nitrosating agents to form nitrosamines. Keep nitrites out of DIPA-containing formulations.
R₂NH + HNO₂ → R₂N–NOProcess notes. Pure DIPA is solid below about 42 °C — melt it gently and evenly, or use the aqueous grade. Neutralisation is exothermic. In gas treating, DIPA is usually run in licensed process blends; tell us the process and we will match the grade. Keep nitrites away from the product and finished formulations.
Discuss your processDIPA comes from the same reactor as MIPA and TIPA. Knowing how it is made explains why the specification controls MIPA, TIPA, water and colour.
Propylene oxide is fed into aqueous ammonia, with the ammonia ratio set to favour the di-substituted product.
The exothermic ring-opening reaction runs in the liquid phase under pressure and controlled temperature.
The reactor delivers MIPA, DIPA and TIPA together with unreacted ammonia and water.
Ammonia and water are stripped, then vacuum distillation separates MIPA, DIPA and TIPA.
DIPA is flaked, filled molten into drums, or diluted with water to make the aqueous grade, then tested.
The real quality question is "what else came with it". Residual MIPA is a more reactive primary amine, TIPA is a tertiary amine that will not form amides, and water dilutes the active and changes melting behaviour.
Colour matters in personal care and water-white products, and nitrite content matters wherever nitrosamines are controlled. If your use is sensitive to any of these, say so at enquiry stage and we will match the batch.
In sealed original packing, stored cool and dry, DIPA is normally used within twelve months, and we recommend a re-check of assay and colour after that before a critical batch. To use solid DIPA from drums, warm the closed drum evenly to about 55–65 °C and mix before drawing — never apply local heat.
Bulk users keep molten DIPA in heated, nitrogen-blanketed tanks. If melting is impractical, the 85–90% aqueous grade stays liquid at normal temperatures. A retained sample of each batch is held here, so any query can be tested against the original.
Tell us the application and your storage setup and we will confirm the grade. Pure DIPA suits anhydrous use and heated storage; the aqueous grade suits easy pumping and dosing.
Flakes or solid in drums for melting, for gas treating, polyurethanes and anhydrous formulations.
DIPA in water, liquid at normal temperatures — easy pumping for personal care, coatings and dosing systems.
Tighter colour and impurity limits for personal care and water-white formulations.
Tighter limits on related amines and water for R&D and QC.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical specification |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual | White solid or flakes; clear liquid when molten |
| Purity (DIPA) | GC | ≥ 98.5 % w/w |
| Monoisopropanolamine | GC | ≤ 0.5 % w/w |
| Triisopropanolamine | GC | ≤ 1.0 % w/w |
| Water | Karl Fischer | ≤ 0.5 % w/w |
| Colour (molten) | APHA | ≤ 50 |
| Iron (Fe) | AAS / ICP | ≤ 2 ppm |
Indicative specification for planning. The controlling document is the Certificate of Analysis issued for your batch. If your process needs tighter limits, say so at enquiry stage and we will quote against your specification.
This is the most common question at enquiry stage. The answer depends on whether your site can melt and keep DIPA warm, and whether water is acceptable in your process.
| Point of comparison | Pure DIPA (solid / molten) | Aqueous DIPA (85–90%) |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Gas treating, polyurethanes, anhydrous formulations | Personal care, coatings, metalworking, dosing systems |
| Physical state at 20 °C | Solid | Liquid |
| Water content | ≤ 0.5% | About 10–15% |
| Handling | Flake handling, drum melting or heated tank | Ordinary liquid handling |
| Packs | 25 kg bags of flakes, drums, heated ISO tanks | Drums, IBCs |
| Amine per kilogram delivered | Highest | Lower — you also pay to move water |
| Transport classification | Generally not regulated — see SDS | Generally not regulated — see SDS |
The isopropanolamines come out of the same propylene oxide reactor and do similar jobs to the ethanolamines, with a methyl branch that changes volatility, odour, nitrosamine behaviour and how they neutralise acids in a formulation.
| Property | Monoisopropanolamine (MIPA) | Diisopropanolamine (DIPA) | Triisopropanolamine (TIPA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAS number | 78-96-6 | 110-97-4 | 122-20-3 |
| Formula | CH₃CH(OH)CH₂NH₂ | [CH₃CH(OH)CH₂]₂NH | [CH₃CH(OH)CH₂]₃N |
| Molecular weight | 75.11 | 133.19 | 191.27 |
| Amine class | Primary | Secondary | Tertiary |
| Melting point | About −2 °C | About 42–45 °C | About 45–50 °C |
| Boiling point | About 160 °C | About 249 °C | About 305 °C |
| State at 25 °C | Clear liquid | Waxy solid; also sold as an aqueous solution | Waxy solid; also sold as an aqueous solution |
| Typical outlets | Metalworking fluids, cocamide MIPA, coatings neutraliser, emulsifiers | Gas sweetening solvents, carbomer neutraliser, coatings, polyurethanes | Cement grinding aids, polyurethanes, coatings |
Order by full name and CAS. MIPA, DIPA and TIPA are short trade names, and DIPA is also used loosely for diisopropylamine — a different, flammable amine. Write the full chemical name, the CAS number and the grade (pure or aqueous) on the enquiry and on the purchase order.
See the full amine rangeDIPA goes mainly into gas sweetening, personal care, coatings and polyurethanes, with a tail of metalworking and chemical uses. Here is the full picture, sector by sector.
Removes H₂S and CO₂ from natural gas, refinery gas and syngas in selective and hybrid solvent processes, often blended with a physical solvent.
A mild, low-odour neutraliser for carbomer gels and acidic thickeners, and a pH adjuster in creams, lotions and hair care.
Neutralises acrylic and alkyd binders, improves pigment dispersion and stability in waterborne paints and inks.
A crosslinker, chain extender and polyol initiator for flexible and rigid foams and elastomers.
Provides alkalinity, corrosion inhibition and emulsion stability in soluble oils and synthetic coolants.
Forms water-soluble amine salts of acidic herbicides for liquid formulations.
Used in corrosion-inhibitor packages and rust preventives for coolants and process water.
Forms soaps and amides for emulsifiers, polishes, textile auxiliaries and lubricants.
If you are mapping a value chain or looking for the product one step down from where you are, this is where diisopropanolamine ends up. Several of these are chemicals we can also source for you.
| Derivative | Made by | End use |
|---|---|---|
| Selective gas-treating solvent blends | Blending with water and physical solvents such as sulfolane | H₂S and CO₂ removal from natural and refinery gas |
| Neutralised carbomer gels | Neutralisation of acrylic thickeners | Personal care gels and lotions |
| DIPA-initiated polyols | Alkoxylation with PO or EO | Polyurethane foams and elastomers |
| Neutralised acrylic and alkyd resins | Neutralisation of binders | Waterborne paints and inks |
| Fatty diisopropanolamides | Amidation with fatty acids or esters | Emulsifiers and thickeners |
| Herbicide amine salts | Neutralisation of acidic actives | Liquid herbicide formulations |
Looking for one of these rather than the amine itself? Ask us — several are within our sourcing network, and we can quote the derivative and the raw material together.
Every container carries the Chelora Amines label with product name, grade, net weight, batch number, manufacturing date, UN number where applicable and hazard pictograms.
HDPE and MS drums — solid DIPA for melting, or the aqueous grade.
Forklift-ready totes for aqueous DIPA, with bottom valves.
Bags of DIPA flakes, plus LR / AR packs for laboratory use.
Heated, insulated ISO tanks for molten DIPA, and tankers for aqueous grade.
Share your monthly consumption and whether you can handle flakes, melt drums or keep a heated tank, and we will recommend the grade, pack size and delivery schedule that keeps your plant running without excess inventory. Export consignments are packed in UN-specification or export-grade containers, palletised and stretch-wrapped, and shipped FOB, CIF or CFR through Nhava Sheva and Mundra.
Plan my supplyDiisopropanolamine causes serious eye irritation and can irritate skin. The notes below are a summary for planning only — always work to the Safety Data Sheet supplied with your consignment and your own site risk assessment.
Diisopropanolamine is generally not classified as a dangerous good for transport, which keeps freight straightforward. Documentation, labelling and chemical-inventory requirements still apply at the destination.
| Item | Classification |
|---|---|
| Proper shipping name | Not regulated as a dangerous good in most modes — confirm on the SDS |
| UN number | None assigned for transport in most modes |
| Labels | GHS labelling for supply (eye irritation) |
| Modes | Road, sea and air as non-dangerous cargo |
| Temperature | Heated ISO tanks for molten bulk; flakes and drums ship ambient |
| Segregation | Away from acids, oxidisers and nitrites |
For personal care use, tell us the target market so we can match the grade to local cosmetic and nitrosamine rules. For industrial use, we confirm any destination-country inventory listing, such as REACH, before the shipment is booked.
Start account opening| Parameter | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White solid | Complies |
| Purity (GC) | ≥ 98.5 % | Complies |
| Monoisopropanolamine | ≤ 0.5 % | Complies |
| Water (KF) | ≤ 0.5 % | Complies |
| Colour (APHA, molten) | ≤ 50 | Complies |
Diisopropanolamine is checked before dispatch and each consignment leaves with the paperwork your QC, stores and accounts teams need on day one.
The numbers on a Certificate of Analysis are only useful if you know how they were produced. These are the methods behind the figures on ours, and the checks worth repeating at your own goods-inward.
Separates diisopropanolamine from the related amines made in the same reactor, and gives the assay and impurity profile that matter most to your formulation.
An independent check on total amine content, useful as a quick goods-inward confirmation before a drum is released to production.
Water determination, which matters for anhydrous grades and confirms strength on aqueous grades.
A visual platinum–cobalt comparison. A rising colour value is the earliest sign that a pack has been exposed to air, heat or held too long.
Fast confirmation that the material is what the label says, and a simple way to spot dilution or the wrong pack.
Pure DIPA melts at about 42–45 °C; a low melting point flags water or related amines before a drum or bag is released.
A sample from every dispatched batch is held here, so a query months later can be settled against the original material rather than an argument.
Batch number on the label ties back to the COA, the test record and the supply lot, which is what your auditor will ask to see.
Where your customer or regulator needs an independent result, we can arrange analysis at a NABL-accredited laboratory before dispatch.
Five steps for a first order of diisopropanolamine. Repeat orders follow the same route on a schedule that matches your consumption.
Grade, quantity, pack size and delivery location or destination port.
We confirm the grade for your application and quote, usually within 24 hours.
The batch is tested and the COA, SDS and invoice details are prepared.
Labelled packs move by road, or in export packing for overseas buyers.
Material reaches your gate and repeat dispatches are scheduled to your usage.
Diisopropanolamine is a commodity on a price list. What separates suppliers is grade flexibility, the paperwork and the answer you get when something is not routine.
Diisopropanolamine sits alongside more than fifty other amines we stock, from ethanolamines to fatty amines. Your purchase team raises one enquiry, compares one quote and manages one vendor record instead of six.
Different purities and supply forms of diisopropanolamine are available, so you are not forced to redesign a formulation around the only grade your supplier happens to carry.
COA, SDS, correct HSN and HS codes, transport declarations and certificates of origin are prepared with the consignment, not chased afterwards by your logistics team.
Tell us your limits on purity, related amines, water or colour and we quote against them, rather than sending the standard cut and letting your QC department find out.
Once we know your monthly draw we hold and release material on a schedule, so you carry less inventory than you otherwise would.
Describe the application rather than the product code and we will tell you which grade fits — and say so plainly when a different amine would serve you better.
Buyers who order diisopropanolamine usually source these from the same list. Open any product for its specification, grades and packing, or see the full product range.
Container shipments to buyers on five continents, plus road dispatch inside India. Tell us your country and destination port and we will quote landed terms, transit time and the documentation your customs broker will ask for.
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.
Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Czechia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Türkiye, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and the Caribbean, shipped in UN-specification packaging with full DG documentation.
| Incoterms quoted | EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF and DAP, depending on your destination and preference |
| Load ports | Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with Chennai and Kolkata used for eastbound routings |
| Container options | Full container loads, and consolidated LCL shipments for smaller quantities |
| Typical container fill | Around 80 drums of 200 kg, or roughly 18 to 20 IBC totes, in a 20 ft container |
| Packing for export | UN-specification drums and totes, palletised, strapped and stretch-wrapped, with DG labelling |
| Air freight | Possible for small quantities, within dangerous goods limits where the product is classified |
| Payment terms | Advance, irrevocable letter of credit or agreed credit terms for established accounts |
| Before first shipment | Company credentials, end-use declaration and any import permit the destination country requires |
Most delays in quoting diisopropanolamine come from a missing line in the enquiry, not from availability. Send these eight details and a firm price usually comes back the same day.
Not sure of some of it yet? Send what you have. A description of the application and an approximate monthly volume is enough for us to come back with a recommended grade, a pack plan and an indicative price.
Send an enquiryPlain definitions of the words that appear on a diisopropanolamine specification, label and shipping document.
Short answers to what purchase, plant and QC teams ask us most about this product. Anything else, ask us directly.
Send the grade, quantity, pack size and your delivery address or destination port. We come back with a price, the documents that go with the batch and a dispatch or shipping plan, usually within 24 hours.