Tetren · 1,2-ethanediamine, N,N′-bis(2-aminoethyl)- derivative · Technical grade
Tetraethylenepentamine is the heaviest ethyleneamine in routine commercial supply: five nitrogens, seven active hydrogens and a viscosity four times that of TETA. In epoxy it gives the slowest cure and the most flexible network of the family, which suits thick sections and low-temperature work. But its most interesting growth has been elsewhere — the high nitrogen density that makes it a mediocre hardener makes it an excellent carbon dioxide absorbent, and TEPA-impregnated solid sorbents are now a serious line of carbon capture work. Like TETA, the technical product is a defined amine mixture rather than a single molecule. Chelora Amines supplies TEPA in drums, IBCs and bulk, with a batch-wise COA and SDS on every dispatch.
96.09 + 23.18 + 70.04 = 189.30 g/mol
Tetraethylenepentamine — TEPA, tetren — is a viscous pale yellow to amber liquid, strongly alkaline and miscible with water. It is a corrosive liquid but not a flammable one, with a flash point above 160 °C. At roughly 100 mPa·s at 25 °C it is four times as thick as TETA, which is the first practical thing most users notice about it.
As an epoxy hardener it sits at the end of the family's natural progression: seven active hydrogens on 189 g/mol give an amine hydrogen equivalent weight of about 27.0 and a mix ratio near fourteen parts per hundred. The cure is slower than TETA's and the network softer and more flexible — useful in thick sections, low-temperature application and systems that need to absorb movement, less so where hardness and chemical resistance are the objective.
Its other outlets have grown faster than its epoxy use. The high nitrogen density makes TEPA an effective carbon dioxide absorbent, and amine-impregnated solid sorbents built on it are an active line of carbon capture development. It also goes into high-nitrogen lubricant dispersants, oilfield demulsifiers and inhibitors, mineral flotation reagents, and fabric and paper chemicals. As with TETA, the technical product is a defined amine mixture rather than a single molecule.
| Chemical name | Tetraethylenepentamine |
| Common synonyms | TEPA, tetren, 1,11-diamino-3,6,9-triazaundecane, pentaethylenehexamine's lighter neighbour |
| CAS number | 112-57-2 |
| EC / EINECS number | 203-986-2 |
| HS / HSN code | 2921 29 (other acyclic polyamines; HSN 2921 29 on Indian invoices) |
| Molecular formula | C₈H₂₃N₅ (H₂N(C₂H₄NH)₃C₂H₄NH₂) |
| Molecular weight | 189.30 g/mol |
| Appearance | Viscous pale yellow to amber liquid |
| Odour | Mild ammoniacal odour |
| Freezing point | About −30 °C |
| Boiling point | About 340 °C at atmospheric pressure |
| Density | About 0.998 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Viscosity | About 100 mPa·s at 25 °C |
| Solubility in water | Completely miscible; also miscible with alcohols and glycols |
| Amine value | About 1450–1500 mg KOH/g |
| Amine hydrogen equivalent weight | About 27.0 (seven active hydrogens per molecule) |
| Flash point | About 163 °C (closed cup) — not a flammable liquid |
| UN number | UN 2735, Amines, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (tetraethylenepentamine), Class 8, Packing Group III |
Figures are typical values for the technical grade, which is an amine mixture. The values for the material you order are stated on its Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet.
The same amine chemistry as the rest of the family, run on a longer chain with more nitrogens. The differences that matter are viscosity, rate and the flexibility of what comes out.
Each N–H adds across an epoxide ring. Seven active hydrogens at an AHEW of about 27.0 give a mix ratio near fourteen parts per hundred, with the slowest cure and softest network of the family.
AHEW ≈ 27.0 · 7 active HFive basic nitrogens per molecule absorb carbon dioxide as carbamate and bicarbonate. Impregnated onto a porous support, TEPA gives a solid sorbent with high capacity per unit mass.
TEPA + CO₂ ⇌ carbamateReaction with polyisobutylene succinic anhydride gives the highest-nitrogen ashless dispersants in the ethyleneamine range, with more sites to hold soot and sludge.
PIBSA + TEPA → succinimideCondensation with fatty acids and ring closure gives imidazolines carrying several pendant aminoethyl groups — strongly adsorbing inhibitor and emulsifier actives.
TEPA + RCOOH → imidazolineCondensation with dimer acid gives soft, flexible reactive polyamides used as epoxy co-curatives and as binders where toughness matters more than hardness.
TEPA + dimer acid → polyamideFive nitrogens wrap a metal ion tightly, and grafting TEPA onto a polymer backbone gives chelating ion-exchange resins and metal-scavenging sorbents.
support–TEPA → chelating resinPolyamines dissolve elemental sulphur, and TEPA is used in sulphur solvent formulations for gas wells and process equipment where deposition is a problem.
TEPA + Sₙ → soluble complexA strongly basic pentafunctional amine, forming salts with mineral and organic acids and used as a neutraliser and acid scavenger in process streams.
TEPA + acid → amine saltTechnical TEPA is a mixture, not a molecule. Like TETA, the commercial product contains the linear amine together with branched and piperazine-containing relatives formed in the same reactor. The practical consequence is that you should work from the amine value and viscosity on the Certificate of Analysis rather than from the theoretical equivalent weight, and qualify against a batch rather than against a formula.
Discuss your formulationTEPA is the heavy cut of the ethyleneamine plant. It comes from the same reaction as EDA, DETA and TETA — it is simply what is left at the top of the boiling range.
Either ethylene dichloride with excess ammonia, or ethanolamine with ammonia and hydrogen over a catalyst, depending on the plant.
Amination gives the full ethyleneamine slate. At the TEPA carbon number the product is a broad family of linear, branched and cyclic amines.
On the dichloride route the amine hydrochlorides are neutralised with caustic and the brine separated from the amine phase.
Vacuum distillation takes off the lighter ethyleneamines in turn, leaving the TEPA cut — and, above it, the heavier residue amines.
Product is filled under nitrogen into drums or IBCs, or loaded to road or ISO tank, with the batch sampled for COA before release.
Every step up the ethyleneamine chain widens the distribution. EDA and DETA are single, cleanly distilled molecules; TETA is a mixture with a dominant linear component; TEPA is a mixture in which the linear amine is one contributor among several, with branched and piperazine-containing relatives alongside it and a tail of heavier material above. That is not a quality problem — it is what the product is, and the published application data reflects it — but it does mean the amine value and viscosity on the Certificate of Analysis are the numbers to formulate against, not a theoretical equivalent weight calculated from the formula. Users who qualify TEPA against a specific batch and then hold that specification for repeat supply have far fewer surprises than users who work from the textbook figure.
At around 100 mPa·s at 25 °C, TEPA is considerably thicker than the lighter ethyleneamines, and the viscosity climbs steeply as temperature falls. Size drum pumps, lines and filters for it, and in a cold store consider tracing or a warm room rather than fighting it at the pump. The product is supplied amber and darkens further on air exposure; colour has little effect on performance but is visible in pale products. Like all the ethyleneamines it absorbs water and carbon dioxide readily, so keep storage sealed and nitrogen-blanketed with a carbon dioxide absorber on long-term vents. Carbon steel is generally suitable, stainless preferred where colour matters, and copper, copper alloys, aluminium and zinc should be avoided throughout.
Amine value, viscosity and colour are the parameters that decide fitness here — not a single purity figure, because the product is a mixture.
The working grade for epoxy curing agents, lubricant and oilfield additives, flotation reagents and general formulation.
Tighter colour and water limits where the finished article is pale or transparent, or where the amine is a visible component.
Higher purity for analytical, research and sorbent development work, supplied in small sealed packs with full batch documentation.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical specification |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual | Viscous pale yellow to amber liquid |
| Total amine content | GC | ≥ 95.0% w/w |
| Water | Karl Fischer | ≤ 0.5% w/w |
| Colour | Gardner | ≤ 7 |
| Density at 20 °C | Densitometer | 0.995 – 1.001 g/cm³ |
| Amine value | Potentiometric titration | 1450 – 1500 mg KOH/g |
| Viscosity at 25 °C | Rotational | 80 – 120 mPa·s |
| Triethylenetetramine | GC | ≤ 2.0% w/w |
| Non-volatile residue | Gravimetric | ≤ 0.1% w/w |
Indicative specification for planning. The controlling document is the Certificate of Analysis issued for your batch, and for a mixture like TEPA that document is what you should formulate against.
A smaller epoxy share than its lighter relatives, and a much larger share of the additive, oilfield and gas-treating work.
Impregnated onto porous silica, alumina or polymer supports to give solid amine sorbents with high capacity per unit mass — an active line of carbon capture development.
The highest-nitrogen succinimide dispersants of the family, holding more soot and sludge per molecule in engine and gear oils.
The slowest cure and most flexible network in the ethyleneamine range — thick sections, large pours, low-temperature application and systems that must tolerate movement.
Imidazoline corrosion inhibitors, demulsifiers, acidising inhibitors and sulphur solvent formulations for gas wells and production equipment.
Collectors and depressants in flotation circuits, and chelating reagents for selective metal recovery from leach solutions.
Grafted onto polymer and silica supports to give chelating ion-exchange resins and metal-scavenging sorbents for water and effluent treatment.
Wet-strength resins, dye fixatives, cationic auxiliaries and softener actives made through the amidoamine route.
Dimer acid polyamides used as flexible epoxy co-curatives and as binders where toughness and adhesion matter more than hardness.
From carbon capture sorbents to flotation circuits — the value chain downstream of tetraethylenepentamine.
| Derivative | Made by | End use |
|---|---|---|
| Amine-impregnated solid sorbents | Impregnation or grafting onto porous silica, alumina or polymer | Carbon dioxide capture from flue gas, biogas and air |
| Succinimide dispersants | Reaction with polyisobutylene succinic anhydride | High-nitrogen ashless dispersants for engine and gear oils |
| TEPA-cured epoxy networks | Stoichiometric cure of epoxy resin at AHEW ≈ 27.0 | Thick-section castings, flexible coatings, low-temperature work |
| Imidazolines and amidoamines | Condensation with fatty acids and ring closure | Oilfield inhibitors, demulsifiers, softener and emulsifier actives |
| Chelating ion-exchange resins | Grafting onto a polymer or silica backbone | Metal recovery and removal in water, effluent and hydrometallurgy |
| Dimer acid polyamides | Condensation with dimerised fatty acids | Flexible epoxy co-curatives, adhesives and ink binders |
| Sulphur solvent formulations | Blending with solvents and promoters | Removal of elemental sulphur deposits in sour gas wells and plant |
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 formulators and batch consumers.
UN-approved composite or stainless IBCs for continuous users, with a pump-out arrangement sized for the viscosity.
ISO tanks and road tankers for scheduled bulk supply; 500 mL to 5 L sealed containers for laboratory, sorbent and trial work.
Viscosity is the practical constraint with TEPA. A pump and hose set that handles DETA comfortably will struggle with it, especially below about 15 °C, and drum emptying takes noticeably longer. Plan for that before the first delivery rather than discovering it on the loading bay. 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 supplyTEPA causes skin and serious eye irritation or burns depending on concentration and contact time, may cause an allergic skin reaction, and is harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. It is not a flammable liquid. Because it is thick and slow to run off, skin contact tends to last longer than with the lighter amines, which makes glove discipline more rather than less important. 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 | Viscous pale yellow to amber liquid | Complies |
| Total amine content (GC) | ≥ 95.0% | Complies |
| Water (KF) | ≤ 0.5% | Complies |
| Colour (Gardner) | ≤ 7 | Complies |
| Amine value | 1450 – 1500 mg KOH/g | Complies |
| Viscosity at 25 °C | 80 – 120 mPa·s | Complies |
TEPA is checked before dispatch. For a technical amine mixture the COA is not a formality — it is the document you should formulate against, because the amine value and viscosity are what set your ratios.
Five steps for a first order of TEPA.
Quantity, pack size, your amine value, viscosity and colour limits, intended application and your delivery location.
We match technical or low-colour grade to the application, and discuss batch qualification if your process is sensitive to the amine distribution.
We quote, then the batch is tested — amine value, water, colour, density and viscosity — 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, with retained samples available where you qualify batch by batch.
Buyers who order TEPA 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.