1,2-Diaminoethane · 1,2-ethanediamine · EDA · Anhydrous and 70% aqueous
Ethylenediamine is the first member of the ethyleneamine family and the one everything else is built from: two carbons, two primary amines, nothing else. Four active hydrogens on a molecule weighing only 60 g/mol give it the highest reactive-group density of any commercial amine, and the two nitrogens sit exactly the right distance apart to grip a metal ion — which is why EDA sits upstream of EDTA and most of the world's chelating agents. It is a clear, strongly ammoniacal liquid that freezes just below room temperature, so storage and the choice between anhydrous and 70% solution matter more here than for most products. Chelora Amines supplies EDA in drums, IBCs and bulk, with a batch-wise COA and SDS on every dispatch.
24.02 + 8.06 + 28.01 = 60.10 g/mol
Ethylenediamine — 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,2-ethanediamine, EDA — is a clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid with a powerful ammoniacal odour. It is fully miscible with water, strongly alkaline in solution, and corrosive to skin. It is also flammable, with a flash point around 34 °C, which puts it in a different handling category from the heavier ethyleneamines.
One physical property shapes how it is bought and stored: EDA freezes at about 8.5 °C. In a Mumbai warehouse that is rarely an issue; in a European or North American winter it absolutely is, and it is the main reason the 70% aqueous solution exists as a commercial grade — it stays liquid well below zero and is simply easier to handle, provided your process tolerates the water.
Commercially, EDA is the gateway to the ethyleneamine family and to chelation chemistry. It is the starting point for EDTA and related sequestrants, for the ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides, for fabric-softener and paper wet-strength polyamides, for imidazoline corrosion inhibitors, and for piperazine. It is also an epoxy curing agent in its own right, though its very low mix ratio and fast cure make it a specialist choice rather than a default one.
| Chemical name | Ethylenediamine |
| Common synonyms | EDA, 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,2-ethanediamine, ethylene diamine, dimethylenediamine |
| CAS number | 107-15-3 |
| EC / EINECS number | 203-468-6 |
| HS / HSN code | 2921 21 (ethylenediamine and its salts; HSN 2921 21 on Indian invoices) |
| Molecular formula | C₂H₈N₂ (H₂NCH₂CH₂NH₂) |
| Molecular weight | 60.10 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid; may be solid below about 8 °C |
| Odour | Strong ammoniacal odour |
| Freezing point | About 8.5 °C (anhydrous grade) |
| Boiling point | About 116 °C at atmospheric pressure |
| Density | About 0.899 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Viscosity | About 1.5 mPa·s at 25 °C |
| Solubility in water | Completely miscible; also miscible with alcohols and glycols |
| Amine value | About 1860 mg KOH/g |
| Amine hydrogen equivalent weight | About 15.0 (four active hydrogens per molecule) |
| Flash point | About 34 °C (closed cup) — flammable liquid |
| UN number | UN 1604, Ethylenediamine, Class 8 with subsidiary risk 3, Packing Group II |
Figures are typical values for the anhydrous technical grade. The 70% aqueous grade differs on freezing point, density, flash point and amine value. All values for the material you order are stated on its Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet.
A small, strongly basic, bifunctional molecule. Almost every industrial use is one of the reactions below, run on a different substrate.
Both nitrogens coordinate the same metal ion, closing a stable five-membered ring. This is the basis of EDA's own use as a ligand and of the entire aminopolycarboxylate sequestrant family built from it.
M²⁺ + en → [M(en)]²⁺Cyanomethylation with formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide, followed by hydrolysis, gives EDTA — by volume the largest single outlet for ethylenediamine worldwide.
EDA → EDTA (4 × –CH₂COOH)Each N–H adds across an epoxide ring, so one EDA molecule ties four chains together at an AHEW of 15 — a very low mix ratio, a fast exotherm and a hard, brittle network.
AHEW ≈ 15.0 · 4 active HCondensation with fatty acids gives amidoamines, and further dehydration closes the ring to a 2-alkylimidazoline — the backbone of fabric softeners and oilfield corrosion inhibitors.
EDA + RCOOH → amidoamine → imidazolineReaction with carbon disulphide and a base gives ethylenebisdithiocarbamate salts, the active chemistry behind a long-established family of contact fungicides.
EDA + 2 CS₂ → EBDC saltReaction with ethylene dichloride or with ethanolamine over a catalyst extends the chain, giving DETA, TETA, TEPA and the cyclic co-products that come with them.
EDA → DETA → TETA → TEPAUnder the right conditions EDA cyclises to piperazine, itself a significant pharmaceutical and industrial intermediate and a normal co-product of ethyleneamine manufacture.
2 EDA → piperazine + NH₃A genuinely strong aliphatic base, far stronger than any aromatic amine. It forms salts readily with mineral and organic acids and is used as a neutraliser and acid scavenger.
EDA + 2 HCl → dihydrochlorideEDA is flammable as well as corrosive. With a flash point near 34 °C it behaves differently from DETA, TETA and TEPA, which are not flammable liquids at ambient temperature. If you are adding EDA to a store that already holds the heavier ethyleneamines, check your area classification, bunding and ignition controls before the first delivery rather than after it.
Discuss your storageEDA is made either from ethylene dichloride and ammonia or by the reductive amination of ethanolamine. Both give a mixture of ethyleneamines; what separates them is the co-product slate and the chloride question.
Either ethylene dichloride with excess ammonia, or monoethanolamine with ammonia and hydrogen over a catalyst, depending on the plant.
Amination gives EDA together with DETA, TETA, TEPA, piperazine and the cyclic ethyleneamines, in a ratio set by stoichiometry and residence time.
On the dichloride route the amine hydrochlorides are neutralised with caustic and the resulting brine separated from the amine phase.
Water and ammonia are stripped and the amines separated by fractional distillation, EDA coming off first as the lightest member.
Anhydrous product is filled under nitrogen, or blended to a 70% aqueous solution, and drummed, filled into IBCs or loaded to bulk.
The 70% aqueous grade exists mainly because anhydrous EDA freezes at about 8.5 °C. A drum that solidifies in a cold store has to be thawed before use, which is slow, awkward and an exposure risk; the solution stays liquid well below zero and pumps straight out. Water is often harmless or even helpful — in chelating agent manufacture, dithiocarbamate production and most aqueous formulations, the reaction medium is water anyway. Where it is not acceptable is anywhere water competes in the reaction or dilutes the product: epoxy curing, isocyanate chemistry, anhydrous synthesis. Decide on the chemistry first and the logistics second, and tell us which at enquiry stage, because the two grades are priced and shipped differently.
EDA is hygroscopic and reacts readily with carbon dioxide from the air to give carbamate, which both consumes product and can deposit solids in a tank or a line. Storage should be sealed and nitrogen-blanketed, and vents fitted with a carbon dioxide absorber on anything held for long periods. Colour drift towards yellow on prolonged air exposure is normal and has little effect on reactivity, but it carries into pale products. Carbon steel is generally suitable for anhydrous EDA; stainless steel is preferred for the aqueous grade and anywhere colour matters. Drums should be stored upright, under cover, away from acids, oxidisers and ignition sources.
Assay, water content and colour are the parameters that decide the grade. Water is the one that decides the shipping too.
The standard grade for epoxy curing, anhydrous synthesis and any process where added water is unacceptable.
Stays liquid well below zero and pumps straight out of the drum. Suited to chelate, dithiocarbamate and aqueous formulation work.
Highest purity for analytical, research and reference use, supplied in small sealed packs with full batch documentation.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical specification |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual | Clear liquid, free of suspended matter |
| Assay | GC | ≥ 99.5% w/w |
| Water | Karl Fischer | ≤ 0.5% w/w |
| Colour | APHA / Hazen | ≤ 15 |
| Freezing point | Crystallisation | ≥ 8.0 °C |
| Density at 20 °C | Densitometer | 0.897 – 0.901 g/cm³ |
| Amine value | Potentiometric titration | 1850 – 1870 mg KOH/g |
| Ammonia | GC | ≤ 0.1% w/w |
| Non-volatile residue | Gravimetric | ≤ 0.02% w/w |
Indicative specification for planning. The controlling document is the Certificate of Analysis issued for your batch. If your process needs a tighter colour or water limit, say so at enquiry stage.
One very large outlet in chelating agents, a second in crop protection, and a long tail of surfactant, resin and additive chemistry.
The largest outlet. EDA is cyanomethylated and hydrolysed to EDTA and related aminopolycarboxylates used in detergents, water treatment, pulp bleaching, photography and micronutrients.
The ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides are made directly from EDA and carbon disulphide — a long-established contact fungicide family for field and orchard crops.
Condensed with fatty acids to imidazolines and amidoamines used in oilfield, pipeline, refinery and acidising inhibitor packages.
The imidazoline and amidoamine route gives cationic softener actives, antistatic agents and specialty surfactants.
Reacted with adipic acid and epichlorohydrin to give polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resins — the standard wet-strength chemistry for tissue and towel.
A very low-ratio, fast-reacting aliphatic hardener at an AHEW of about 15 — used where speed matters and the strong exotherm can be managed.
Upstream of piperazine, aminophylline and ethambutol chemistry, and a reagent in a long list of established syntheses.
Chain extension of EDA gives DETA, TETA and TEPA — the heavier members of the family, each with its own application profile.
From laundry detergent to orchard spray — the value chain downstream of ethylenediamine.
| Derivative | Made by | End use |
|---|---|---|
| EDTA and its salts | Cyanomethylation with formaldehyde and HCN, then hydrolysis | Detergents, water treatment, pulp bleaching, micronutrients, food and photographic use |
| Ethylenebisdithiocarbamates | Reaction with carbon disulphide and a base | Contact fungicides for field, orchard and vine crops |
| 2-Alkylimidazolines | Condensation with fatty acids and ring closure | Fabric softeners, antistatics, corrosion inhibitors, asphalt emulsifiers |
| Polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resins | Reaction with adipic acid, then epichlorohydrin | Wet-strength resin for tissue, towel and packaging paper |
| Piperazine | Cyclisation of two EDA molecules with loss of ammonia | Pharmaceutical and polymer intermediate, gas-treating promoter |
| DETA, TETA and TEPA | Chain extension with ethylene dichloride or ethanolamine | Epoxy curing agents, lubricant additives, oilfield and water chemicals |
| EDA-cured epoxy networks | Stoichiometric cure of epoxy resin at AHEW ≈ 15 | Fast-setting adhesives, coatings and specialty systems |
Every container carries the Chelora Amines label with product name, grade, net weight, batch number, manufacturing date, UN number and hazard pictograms, including the corrosive and flame pictograms. Packs are sealed and nitrogen-blanketed.
Lined or lacquered steel drums under nitrogen, palletised and secured. The standard pack for batch consumers and for the aqueous grade.
UN-approved composite or stainless IBCs for continuous users with a pump-out arrangement and suitable bunding.
ISO tanks and road tankers for scheduled bulk supply; 500 mL to 5 L sealed containers for laboratory and trial use.
If you are taking anhydrous EDA into a cold climate, think about the freezing point before you choose the pack. A frozen IBC is a much bigger problem than a frozen drum, and heated storage or the 70% solution is usually cheaper than the handling it saves. Export consignments are packed in UN-specification packaging with full dangerous goods documentation and shipped FOB, CIF or CFR through Nhava Sheva and Mundra.
Plan my supplyEDA causes severe skin burns and eye damage, is harmful if swallowed or inhaled, may cause an allergic skin reaction and may cause allergy, asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. It is a flammable liquid. Respiratory sensitisation is the hazard most often underestimated — once someone is sensitised, very low exposures can trigger a reaction. The notes below are a summary for planning only; always work to the Safety Data Sheet and your own site risk assessment.
| Parameter | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear liquid | Complies |
| Assay (GC) | ≥ 99.5% | Complies |
| Water (KF) | ≤ 0.5% | Complies |
| Colour (APHA) | ≤ 15 | Complies |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.897 – 0.901 g/cm³ | Complies |
| Amine value | 1850 – 1870 mg KOH/g | Complies |
EDA is checked before dispatch. Each consignment leaves with the paperwork your QC, EHS, stores and accounts teams need on day one — including the water figure that decides whether a batch suits an anhydrous process.
Five steps for a first order of EDA. Step two is where the anhydrous-or-aqueous question gets settled.
Grade, quantity, pack size, your water and colour limits, your storage temperature, and your delivery location.
We match anhydrous or 70% solution to your chemistry and your climate — the two are rarely interchangeable without a look at both.
We quote, then the batch is tested — assay, water, colour, density and amine value — and the COA and SDS are prepared.
Sealed, labelled drums, IBCs or a bulk load move under dangerous goods documentation for a Class 8 flammable corrosive.
Material reaches your gate and repeat dispatches are scheduled to your usage, keeping stored quantities on site sensible.
Buyers who order EDA usually source these from the same list. See the full product range for the complete picture.
Short answers to what purchase, lab, EHS and plant teams ask us most. Anything else, ask us directly.
Send the grade, quantity, pack size, intended end use 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.