1-Octadecanamine · Stearylamine · ≥ 99% commercial grade, LR and AR grades
Octadecylamine is a primary fatty amine with a straight eighteen-carbon saturated chain — the longest of the common aliphatic amines. Its C18 backbone makes it the preferred choice where maximum hydrophobicity is needed alongside amine reactivity: in mineral flotation of fine-grained silicates, as a corrosion inhibitor in fuels and lubricants, as a wax additive, and as a building block for stearyl quaternary ammonium compounds and ethoxylated surfactants. Chelora Amines supplies octadecylamine worldwide to mining, lubricant, personal care, textile and specialty chemical industries, with a batch-wise COA and SDS on every dispatch.
216.20 + 39.31 + 14.01 = 269.51 g/mol
Octadecylamine, also known as stearylamine or 1-octadecanamine, is the C18 member of the primary fatty amine series, derived from stearic acid — one of the most abundant saturated fatty acids in animal fats and some vegetable oils. The fully saturated chain gives ODA a definite melting point of about 51–54 °C, above which it becomes a clear mobile liquid, and a characteristic waxy appearance as a solid.
Its C18 length makes it the most hydrophobic of the common saturated fatty amines. This matters in flotation (where longer chains improve collector selectivity on fine particles), in corrosion inhibition (where a denser monolayer forms), and in wax and lubricant applications (where compatibility with the host matrix is key).
ODA is practically insoluble in water and flash point is well above 100 °C — it is a combustible solid. It ships as a corrosive solid under UN 3259. Its primary amine content, colour and the level of secondary (dioctadecylamine) and related amines are the key specification parameters.
| Chemical name | 1-Octadecanamine (Octadecylamine, Stearylamine) |
| Common synonyms | ODA, stearylamine, 1-aminooctadecane, n-octadecylamine, n-stearylamine |
| CAS number | 124-30-1 |
| EC / EINECS number | 204-695-3 |
| HS / HSN code | 2921 19 (acyclic monoamines and their derivatives; HSN 2921 19 on Indian invoices) |
| Molecular formula | C₁₈H₃₉N (CH₃(CH₂)₁₇NH₂) |
| Molecular weight | 269.51 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to off-white waxy solid at room temperature; clear liquid above ~54 °C |
| Odour | Faint amine-like odour (low volatility) |
| Melting point | About 51–54 °C |
| Boiling point | About 349 °C at atmospheric pressure |
| Density | About 0.862 g/cm³ at 60 °C (liquid) |
| Solubility in water | Practically insoluble; soluble in warm alcohols, esters, aromatic solvents |
| Flash point | Above 110 °C (closed cup) — combustible solid / liquid |
| UN number | UN 3259, Amines, solid, corrosive, n.o.s., Class 8, Packing Group III |
Figures are typical literature values for orientation. Values for the material you order are stated on its Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet.
A primary amino group on the longest common saturated chain. The C18 length gives the strongest hydrophobic anchoring in the fatty amine series; the primary amine provides reactivity at the nitrogen.
Protonated octadecylammonium ion adsorbs on silicate and oxide surfaces with high selectivity, particularly on fine particles where longer chains outperform C12 amines.
ODA + H⁺ → C₁₈H₃₇NH₃⁺ (collector)The amine group anchors to metal oxide surfaces; the C18 tail forms a dense, water-repelling monolayer in rust-preventive oils, metalworking fluids and fuel-additive packages.
Fe–OH + RNH₂ → Fe–O–NH₂RExhaustive methylation gives stearyltrimethylammonium and distearyl quats — the actives in rinse-off hair conditioners and fabric softeners.
RNH₂ + 3 CH₃X → RN⁺(CH₃)₃ X⁻Condensation with fatty acids gives stearyl amides — slip agents, release agents and wax additives with low volatility and high melting points.
RNH₂ + R′COOH → R′CONHR + H₂OEthylene oxide addition gives ethoxylated stearylamine (PEG-2 stearylamine and higher homologues) — emulsifiers, antistatic agents and conditioning surfactants.
RNH₂ + n EO → RN(CH₂CH₂OH)₂A flexible, long-chain curing agent for epoxy coatings and adhesives — gives films with improved flexibility and hydrophobicity versus shorter-chain amines.
RNH₂ + epoxide → β-hydroxyamineCondenses with aldehydes and ketones to give long-chain imines used in corrosion inhibitor packages and agrochemical intermediates.
RNH₂ + R′CHO → RN=CHR′ + H₂OReaction with organic acids gives amine acetates and oleates — water-dispersible emulsifiers for agrochemical and bitumen-emulsion formulations.
RNH₂ + AcOH → RNH₃⁺ AcO⁻Process notes. Octadecylamine melts at 51–54 °C. Processing requires heated equipment, insulated lines and drum-melting facilities. It is a corrosive solid. Avoid copper, brass and zinc; use stainless or carbon steel with PTFE seals. Keep sealed and nitrogen-blanketed.
Discuss your processOctadecylamine follows the same fatty nitrile–hydrogenation route as other fatty amines, but the C18 chain length demands tight control of hydrogenation conditions to reach the primary amine content the specification requires.
Stearic acid from tallow or vegetable sources is purified to narrow chain-length distribution to C18.
Ammonia is reacted with stearic acid at high temperature to give octadecanenitrile (stearonitrile).
The nitrile is hydrogenated under pressure over a catalyst; conditions are set to maximise the primary amine and minimise dioctadecylamine.
Fractional distillation removes secondary and tertiary amine fractions, solvent and catalyst residues.
Molten ODA is tested, then prilled, flaked or poured into bags or heated drums under nitrogen.
ODA melts at 51–54 °C — it is a firm solid at room temperature. For most industrial users, a 170 kg heated drum of molten or semi-solid ODA is the easiest to handle: a drum heater brings the contents to a pourable melt. For users who handle smaller quantities or need to weigh out batches, prills or flakes in bags offer convenience. Tell us your melting and dosing arrangement at enquiry stage and we will recommend the most practical form.
In sealed original packing stored dry and cool away from heat and ignition sources, ODA is stable for twelve months from the manufacturing date. Colour rises with exposure to air or heat. Keep drums and bags sealed; if stored partly used, seal with a nitrogen purge. A retained sample of each batch is held here for twelve months, so any quality query can be resolved against the original.
Tell us the application and we will confirm the grade. Commercial grade covers flotation, corrosion inhibition and quaternisation; laboratory grades suit synthesis and research.
The standard grade for flotation, corrosion inhibitors, lubricant additives and quaternary amine manufacture.
Tighter limits on secondary amine, colour and chain-length distribution for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
Tighter impurity limits for R&D, method development and QC use.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical specification |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual | White to off-white waxy solid; clear liquid above melting point |
| Primary amine content | GC or potentiometric titration | ≥ 99.0% w/w |
| Secondary amine (dioctadecylamine) | GC | ≤ 0.5% w/w |
| Tertiary amine | GC | ≤ 0.2% w/w |
| Colour (APHA at 60 °C) | APHA | ≤ 20 |
| Water | Karl Fischer | ≤ 0.3% w/w |
| Melting point | Capillary or DSC | 51–54 °C |
Indicative specification for planning. The controlling document is the Certificate of Analysis issued for your batch.
ODA is the preferred fatty amine where maximum hydrophobicity is the priority — in fine-particle flotation, durable corrosion inhibitor films, high-melting-point waxes and premium hair-care actives.
Superior collector for fine-grained silica, quartz, feldspar and sylvite in potash and iron-ore beneficiation, where the C18 chain outperforms DDA in selectivity.
Applied to metal surfaces in rust-preventive oils, cutting fluids, fuel additives and cooling-system inhibitors. The dense C18 monolayer outperforms shorter chains in humidity and saltwater environments.
The primary material for stearyltrimethylammonium and distearyldimethylammonium chloride — the actives in leave-on hair conditioners, fabric softeners and antistatic agents.
Ethoxylated octadecylamine and its quaternary salts are used as conditioning agents, detangling actives and emulsifiers in rinse-off and leave-in hair treatments.
Incorporated into paper-release coatings, mould-release formulations and plastic lubricants — the high melting point and low volatility suit high-temperature processing.
Amine-type adhesion promoters and bitumen emulsifiers for warm-mix asphalt applications, where the long C18 chain improves binder–aggregate compatibility at lower mixing temperatures.
Ethoxylated and quaternary derivatives of ODA are used as antistatic agents and softeners for synthetic and natural fibres and nonwovens.
A building block for long-chain imines, polyamides, isocyanates and other specialty intermediates where the full C18 backbone is required in the final molecule.
Mapping the value chain downstream of ODA — from flotation reagents to premium hair-care actives.
| Derivative | Made by | End use |
|---|---|---|
| Octadecylamine acetate (stearylamine acetate) | Neutralisation with acetic acid | Flotation collector for fine silicate minerals |
| Stearyltrimethylammonium chloride (STAC) | Exhaustive methylation | Hair conditioner active, fabric softener, antistatic |
| Distearyldimethylammonium chloride (DSDMAC) | Di-alkylation of dimethylamine | Premium fabric softener and conditioner base |
| Ethoxylated stearylamine (PEG-2 to PEG-15) | Ethylene oxide addition | Conditioning emulsifier, antistatic, textile auxiliary |
| Stearyl amide | Condensation with fatty acid | Wax additive, slip agent, mould-release ingredient |
| Stearyl imine (Schiff base) | Condensation with aldehyde | Corrosion inhibitor, fuel-additive component |
Every container carries the Chelora Amines label with product name, grade, net weight, batch number, manufacturing date, UN number and hazard pictograms.
Polythene-lined bags for solid ODA — convenient for users who weigh out batches or dissolve the solid in a process vessel.
UN-approved steel drums for bulk production use. Drum heaters bring the contents to a pourable melt for transfer by pump or gravity.
100 g to 5 kg packs for laboratory, pilot and qualification work. Batch COA on every label.
Octadecylamine requires heated handling above 54 °C. Share your monthly consumption, your melting and transfer arrangement, and your application — we will recommend the grade, form and pack size that suits your process. Export consignments are packed in UN-specification containers, palletised and stretch-wrapped, and shipped FOB, CIF or CFR through Nhava Sheva and Mundra.
Plan my supplyOctadecylamine is a corrosive solid that causes severe skin burns and eye damage if it contacts skin or eyes in molten form, and is harmful if inhaled as dust or vapour. 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.
| Parameter | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White waxy solid | Complies |
| Primary amine (GC) | ≥ 99.0% | Complies |
| Secondary amine | ≤ 0.5% | Complies |
| Water (KF) | ≤ 0.3% | Complies |
| Colour (APHA at 60 °C) | ≤ 20 | Complies |
| Melting point | 51–54 °C | Complies |
Octadecylamine is checked before dispatch and each consignment leaves with the paperwork your QC, stores and accounts teams need on day one.
Five steps for a first order of octadecylamine.
Grade, quantity, pack form (bags or drums), delivery address or destination port, and your heated-handling capacity.
We confirm the grade and form 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.
Buyers who order octadecylamine usually source these from the same list. See the full product range for the complete picture.
Short answers to what purchase, plant and QC teams ask us most. 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.