Ethanolamines and Their Applications

Ethanolamines are classified as a family of compounds. Because they possess both amine and alcohol properties, they can react with both alcohol and amine groups.

The most commercially used amines are Monoethanolamine, Diethanolamine, and Triethanolamine. Triethanolamine is available on the market as 99% and 85% grades. The 99% Triethanolamine contains 15% Diethanolamine. For this reason, 99% Triethanolamine is more expensive.

These types of amines are mildly alkaline. They have the ability to react with acids to form salts and soaps. Due to their alcohol functional group, they are hygroscopic. Therefore, they can be esterified.

The Molecular Structures of Amines are as Follows;

MEA= H₂NCH₂CH₂OH

DEA= HN(CH₂CH₂OH)₂

TEA= N(CH₂CH₂OH)₃

Ethanolamine application areas are as follows;

• Lubricating and Cleaning Agents
• Gas sweetening chemicals
• Chemical used in the manufacture of Amine Salts
• pH control agent. It is particularly used with Carbomer to utilize its neutralizing properties.
• Ingredient in some special cleaning formulas and detergent production
• Concrete additive
• In the manufacture of flexible urethane foam catalysts
• Pharmaceutical production raw material
• Personal care products raw material
• Agrochemicals raw material
• Photographic emulsions raw material

They have applications in many fields, including these.

Ethanolamine Application Areas are as Follows

General Application Areas	Monoethanolamine	Diethanolamine	Triethanolamine (Commercial)	Triethanolamine (99%)
Adhesives and Agrochemicals		x	x x
Cement Grinding Aids and Concrete Additives			x	x x
Detergents, Special Cleaners, Personal Care Products	x	x	x	x
Gas Treatment and Metalworking	x x		x x	x x
Oil Drilling Chemicals and Packaging & Printing Inks	x x		x	x
Photographic Chemicals and Cleaning Chemicals		x	x	x
Textile Finishing and Urethane Foam	x	x x	x x	x x

Table 1

Use of Amines as Gas Sweeteners

In some facilities, synthesis gas is formed from ammonia, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and flue gas. To remove such pollutant gases, Monoethanolamine and Diethanolamine solutions react with hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. As a result, they are exposed to high temperatures. This allows the acidic gas to be released. At the same time, this process regenerates the amine for reuse.

In natural gas systems and refinery treatment systems, Diethanolamine solutions are used. It has demonstrated long-term performance in the construction industry, where carbon steel is a primary material.

Use of Amines in Detergents and Cosmetic Products

Ethanolamines are used in heavy-duty industrial detergents because they are suitable for creating excellent combinations. The ethanolamines used here provide alkalinity to the laundry wash, which contributes to extra and effective cleaning.

The effect of ethanolamines here is to neutralize the fatty acids within oily soil components, converting them into amine soaps. The resulting amine soaps support general cleaning tasks. At the same time, they prevent the soil in the laundry wash from redepositing onto the clothes during the cleaning process.

The most suitable conditions to see the effect of ethanolamines are in the presence of nonionic, anionic, or mixed nonionic/anionic surfactant solutions, where they exhibit very good performance on cotton, cotton/polyester blends, and polyester fabrics.

Diethanolamine is used to prepare fatty acid amides in many personal care products.

In hair shampoos, Triethanolamine is reacted with Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) to synthesize certain foaming surfactants.

Fatty acids neutralized with Triethanolamine are versatile emulsifiers. Products in this area, such as gel-form industrial hand cleaners, aerosol-type shaving creams, and hand and body lotions, feature it as an important component. It is also a key ingredient in soft bar soaps.

Use of Ethanolamines in the Textile Industry

Ethanolamines are used as intermediates in the production of softeners used in the finishing processes of durable press fabrics.

Due to their low alkalinity, amine-based soaps are used as cleaning agents for wool and silk textile products.

Thanks to their hygroscopic properties, they are an important component in the manufacture of VAT printing pastes.

Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine are used in the manufacture of Acetate Rayon dyes.

Ethanolamine salts can be used in the manufacture of textile lubricants to take advantage of their anti-corrosion and anti-static properties.

In the production of staple fiber finishes, ethanolamine salts of monophosphates, diphosphates, sulfonates, or sulfates are used.

Use of Ethanolamines in the Metalworking Sector

Metal surfaces degrade in the presence of acidic additives or moisture. This leads to corrosion. Ethanolamines have the ability to prevent corrosion due to their effect of neutralizing acidic substances.

Ethanolamines are used to provide alkalinity in liquids with good water solubility. Ferrous metal structures do not oxidize or rust under alkaline conditions.

Ethanolamines are used in the manufacture of water-soluble lubricants, corrosion inhibitors , and biocides. In these applications, they function as intermediates.

Other Uses of Ethanolamines

Among ethanolamines, Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine are used to provide a stabilizing effect in the manufacture of rigid or flexible polyurethanes. They have a catalytic effect.

Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine are used as intermediates in the production of herbicides in agrochemical manufacturing.

They are used in the manufacture of chemicals that control the evaporation rate of water during the curing of concrete.

Triethanolamine is used to prevent corrosion in drilling equipment.

Monoethanolamine is used as a pH control agent in the manufacture of packaging and printing inks.

Use in the paper industry:

In the paper industry, ethanolamines are generally used as wetting agents and surfactants. In the papermaking process, a series of chemicals are used to mix raw paper fibers with water and to help the fibers bond together. Ethanolamines can also be used in paper coating processes. In this process, ethanolamines can be used as a coating agent to increase the gloss of the paper surface and create a protective layer.