2,2′-Iminodiethylamine · bis(2-aminoethyl)amine · DETA · Drums, IBCs and bulk
Diethylenetriamine is the second ethyleneamine and, for most formulators, the practical one. Where EDA cures epoxy so fast and at such a low ratio that weighing errors become expensive, DETA gives five active hydrogens on a molecule twice the size — a workable mix ratio, a manageable exotherm and the hard, chemically resistant network that made it the standard room-temperature hardener for decades. Its three nitrogens also make it a better chelating backbone than EDA, which is why DTPA sits downstream of it. Chelora Amines supplies DETA in drums, IBCs and bulk, with a batch-wise COA and SDS on every dispatch.
48.04 + 13.10 + 42.02 = 103.17 g/mol
Diethylenetriamine — 2,2′-iminodiethylamine, bis(2-aminoethyl)amine, DETA — is a clear to pale yellow liquid with a strong ammoniacal odour, miscible with water and strongly alkaline. Unlike ethylenediamine it is not a flammable liquid at ambient temperature: its flash point sits near 98 °C and it is handled as a corrosive rather than a corrosive-and-flammable.
It is the ethyleneamine most people mean when they say "amine hardener". Five active hydrogens on 103 g/mol give an amine hydrogen equivalent weight of about 20.6, which works out to roughly eleven parts per hundred against a standard liquid epoxy resin — a ratio a production operator can actually weigh. It cures at room temperature, reaches a hard and chemically resistant network, and tolerates a wider error band than EDA does.
Away from epoxy, DETA's three nitrogens make it a better chelating backbone than EDA — DTPA, the pentacarboxylate sequestrant, is made from it. It also goes into fuel and lubricant dispersants, oilfield and asphalt chemistry, imidazoline corrosion inhibitors, paper wet-strength resins, ion-exchange resins and amine-based gas-treating systems.
| Chemical name | Diethylenetriamine |
| Common synonyms | DETA, 2,2′-iminodiethylamine, bis(2-aminoethyl)amine, aminoethylethanediamine |
| CAS number | 111-40-0 |
| EC / EINECS number | 203-865-4 |
| HS / HSN code | 2921 29 (other acyclic polyamines; HSN 2921 29 on Indian invoices) |
| Molecular formula | C₄H₁₃N₃ (H₂NC₂H₄NHC₂H₄NH₂) |
| Molecular weight | 103.17 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow liquid |
| Odour | Strong ammoniacal odour |
| Freezing point | About −35 °C |
| Boiling point | About 207 °C at atmospheric pressure |
| Density | About 0.955 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Viscosity | About 7 mPa·s at 25 °C |
| Solubility in water | Completely miscible; also miscible with alcohols and glycols |
| Amine value | About 1620 mg KOH/g |
| Amine hydrogen equivalent weight | About 20.6 (five active hydrogens per molecule) |
| Flash point | About 98 °C (closed cup) — not a flammable liquid |
| UN number | UN 2079, Diethylenetriamine, Class 8, Packing Group II |
Figures are typical values for the technical grade. The values for the material you order are stated on its Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet.
Two primary amines and one secondary, all strongly basic, all nucleophilic. The secondary nitrogen is the one that makes the difference, both to the mix ratio and to the network it builds.
Each N–H adds across an epoxide ring. Five active hydrogens give a dense network and an AHEW of about 20.6, which puts the mix ratio at roughly eleven parts per hundred of standard resin.
AHEW ≈ 20.6 · 5 active HCondensation with fatty acids gives amidoamines; further dehydration closes an imidazoline ring while leaving a pendant aminoethyl group — the basis of inhibitor and softener chemistry.
DETA + RCOOH → amidoamine → imidazolineReaction with dimer acid gives the polyamide resins used as flexible epoxy co-curatives and as hot-melt and ink-vehicle binders.
DETA + dimer acid → polyamideThree nitrogens coordinate a metal centre through two fused chelate rings, binding more strongly than EDA. Carboxymethylation gives DTPA, the higher-capacity sequestrant.
DETA → DTPA (5 × –CH₂COOH)Reaction with polyisobutylene succinic anhydride gives the succinimide dispersants that keep soot and sludge suspended in a crankcase oil.
PIBSA + DETA → succinimideA strong aliphatic base, forming salts with mineral and organic acids. Used as a neutraliser, acid scavenger and pH regulator in a range of process streams.
DETA + acid → amine saltReacts reversibly with carbon dioxide to give carbamate, the basis of its use as a promoter and absorbent in gas treating — and the reason storage needs blanketing.
DETA + CO₂ ⇌ carbamateFurther reaction with ethylene dichloride or ethanolamine extends the chain to TETA, TEPA and the higher ethyleneamines, together with their cyclic co-products.
DETA → TETA → TEPADETA blushes. Like all primary aliphatic amine hardeners it reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide and moisture during cure, and in cool, humid conditions that gives a greasy, hazy surface on a coating or a floor. Adduct it, modify it, or control the cure environment — and if you are specifying for site-applied work, discuss the ambient conditions before you lock the formulation.
Discuss your formulationDETA is not made on its own. It comes out of the same ethyleneamine plant as EDA, TETA and TEPA, and the distillation column is what separates them.
Either ethylene dichloride with excess ammonia, or monoethanolamine with ammonia and hydrogen over a catalyst, depending on the plant.
Amination gives the full ethyleneamine slate — EDA, DETA, TETA, TEPA, piperazine and the cyclic amines — in a ratio set by stoichiometry and residence time.
On the dichloride route the amine hydrochlorides are neutralised with caustic and the brine separated from the amine phase.
Water and ammonia are stripped and the amines separated by vacuum distillation, DETA coming off between EDA and TETA.
Product is filled under nitrogen into drums or IBCs, or loaded to road or ISO tank, with the batch sampled for COA before release.
DETA is a single, well-defined molecule. It boils at 207 °C, far enough from its neighbours that distillation gives a product above 99% without heroic effort. That is not true further up the family: by TETA the isomer and cyclic co-product count has risen to the point where "technical TETA" is a defined mixture rather than a pure substance, and TEPA more so again. If your process depends on a known molecular weight, a known functionality and a reproducible equivalent weight — curing agent formulation, for example, or a synthesis step — DETA gives you that in a way the heavier ethyleneamines cannot without a premium distilled grade.
DETA darkens slowly towards yellow and amber on air exposure and absorbs both moisture and carbon dioxide readily. The carbamate that forms with carbon dioxide can deposit solids in tanks and lines, so storage should be sealed and nitrogen-blanketed, with a carbon dioxide absorber on the vent of anything held long term. Colour drift has little effect on reactivity but carries into clear coatings and pale products, so colour-critical users should specify an APHA limit and keep stock turning. Carbon steel is generally suitable; stainless is preferred where colour matters. Avoid copper, copper alloys, aluminium and zinc throughout. In sealed, blanketed storage DETA normally holds specification for twenty-four months.
Assay, colour and water are the three parameters that decide the grade. For most users the technical grade is the right answer.
The working grade for epoxy curing agents, polyamide resins, lubricant additives, oilfield chemicals and general synthesis.
Tighter colour and water limits for clear coatings, flooring systems and any product where the finished article is pale or transparent.
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 | ≥ 99.0% w/w |
| Water | Karl Fischer | ≤ 0.5% w/w |
| Colour | APHA / Hazen | ≤ 25 |
| Density at 20 °C | Densitometer | 0.953 – 0.957 g/cm³ |
| Amine value | Potentiometric titration | 1610 – 1630 mg KOH/g |
| Refractive index at 20 °C | Refractometer | 1.482 – 1.486 |
| Ethylenediamine | GC | ≤ 0.3% w/w |
| Non-volatile residue | Gravimetric | ≤ 0.05% 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.
Epoxy chemistry is the headline, but the lubricant, oilfield and water-treatment outlets together are not far behind it.
The reference room-temperature aliphatic hardener — floor coatings, tank linings, adhesives, grouts, laminating and repair systems, used neat or as an adduct.
Reacted with polyisobutylene succinic anhydride to give ashless succinimide dispersants for engine oils, and used in fuel detergent packages.
Converted to imidazolines and amidoamines for oilfield, pipeline, refinery and acidising inhibitor packages.
Carboxymethylated to DTPA, the higher-capacity sequestrant used in pulp bleaching, detergents, water treatment and micronutrient chemistry.
Condensed with dimer acid to give reactive polyamides used as flexible epoxy co-curatives and as binders in inks and hot-melt adhesives.
A building block for wet-strength resins, fixing agents, dye fixatives and cationic textile auxiliaries.
Adhesion promoters and antistripping agents for bitumen, and collectors and depressants in mineral flotation.
Used as a promoter in amine gas-treating systems and as a functionalising amine for chelating ion-exchange resins and solid sorbents.
From warehouse floors to engine oil — the value chain downstream of diethylenetriamine.
| Derivative | Made by | End use |
|---|---|---|
| DETA-cured epoxy networks | Stoichiometric cure of epoxy resin at AHEW ≈ 20.6 | Floor coatings, tank linings, adhesives, grouts and repair systems |
| Amine adducts and modified hardeners | Pre-reaction with a portion of epoxy resin or with diluents | Low-blush, lower-volatility curing agents for site-applied work |
| Succinimide dispersants | Reaction with polyisobutylene succinic anhydride | Ashless dispersants for engine and gear oils |
| DTPA and its salts | Carboxymethylation of all three nitrogens | Pulp bleaching, detergents, water treatment, micronutrients |
| Imidazolines and amidoamines | Condensation with fatty acids and ring closure | Corrosion inhibitors, asphalt emulsifiers, softener actives |
| Dimer acid polyamides | Condensation with dimerised fatty acids | Flexible epoxy co-curatives, ink and hot-melt binders |
| TETA and TEPA | Further chain extension in the ethyleneamine plant | Heavier curing agents, lubricant and oilfield chemistry |
Every container carries the Chelora Amines label with product name, grade, net weight, batch number, manufacturing date, UN number and the corrosive pictogram. Packs are sealed and nitrogen-blanketed.
Lined or lacquered steel drums under nitrogen, palletised and secured. The standard pack for batch consumers and formulators.
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.
DETA does not freeze in any normal warehouse and is not a flammable liquid, which makes it considerably easier to store than EDA — but it is still a Packing Group II corrosive, and part-used drums left open will pick up water and carbon dioxide. Keep packs closed, blanketed and turning. 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 supplyDETA causes severe skin burns and eye damage, is harmful in contact with skin, may cause an allergic skin reaction and is harmful to aquatic life. It is not a flammable liquid at ambient temperature. Skin contact and sensitisation are the practical risks on most sites — amine hardeners are among the commonest causes of occupational dermatitis in the coatings trades. 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) | ≥ 99.0% | Complies |
| Water (KF) | ≤ 0.5% | Complies |
| Colour (APHA) | ≤ 25 | Complies |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.953 – 0.957 g/cm³ | Complies |
| Amine value | 1610 – 1630 mg KOH/g | Complies |
DETA is checked before dispatch. Each consignment leaves with the paperwork your QC, EHS, stores and accounts teams need on day one — including the amine value that sets your mix ratio.
Five steps for a first order of DETA.
Grade, quantity, pack size, your colour and water limits, intended application and your delivery location.
We match technical or low-colour grade to the application — clear coatings and pale products are where the difference shows.
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 corrosive.
Material reaches your gate and repeat dispatches are scheduled to your usage, keeping stock fresh and blanketed.
Buyers who order DETA 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.