Monoethanolamine (MEA)

Product Overview

Monoethanolamine (MEA) is a colorless, viscous liquid with an ammonia-like odor, commonly used as a chemical intermediate. This technical grade MEA serves as a versatile building block for a broad range of industrial formulations, enabling robust performance in surfactants, emulsifiers, and corrosion inhibitors due to its primary amine functionality. With an ACS Reagent Grade alignment and a typical assay of 99.5% by titration with standardized NaOH, MEA provides reliable, repeatable chemistry essential for bulk manufacturing, formulation science, and process optimization. The material is supplied with strict quality controls to meet low heavy metals content and controlled impurity levels, supporting consistent batch-to-batch performance in multi-component systems.

MEA's properties support its role across diverse sectors, including surfactant production, corrosion inhibition in oil and gas, pH adjustment in water treatment, emulsification in food formulations, and as a chemical intermediate in pharmaceutical syntheses. Its ability to dissolve in water and alcohols, coupled with a manageable viscosity, facilitates incorporation into complex blends and reactive formulations while maintaining workable handling characteristics under standard industrial storage conditions.

Key Properties

• Property Name: Assay (wt %)
• Chemical Formula: C₂H₇NO
• Molecular Weight: 61.08 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 170–175°C
• Specific Gravity: 1.01–1.02 (20°C) – typical 1.015
• Color (APHA/Hazen): max 10 (typical 5)
• Residue After Ignition: max 0.05% (typical 0.02%)
• Chloride (Cl): max 50 ppm (typical 20 ppm)
• Nitrate (NO₃⁻): max 20 ppm (typical 10 ppm)
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺): max 5 ppm (typical 2 ppm)
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): max 20 ppm (typical 5 ppm)
• Phosphate (PO₄³⁻): max 5 ppm (typical 2 ppm)
• Arsenic (As): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Heavy Metals (as Pb): max 0.2 ppm (typical 0.05 ppm)
• Iron (Fe): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Copper (Cu): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Manganese (Mn): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Nickel (Ni): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Lead (Pb): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Zinc (Zn): max 1 ppm (typical 0.2 ppm)
• Aluminum (Al): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Chromium (Cr): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Cobalt (Co): max 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Calcium (Ca): max 50 ppm (typical 20 ppm)
• Magnesium (Mg): max 50 ppm (typical 20 ppm)
• Sodium (Na): max 1000 ppm (typical 400 ppm)
• Potassium (K): max 100 ppm (typical 50 ppm)
• Water (H₂O): max 0.5% (typical 0.2%)

Common Applications

• Surfactant Production: Industry-grade MEA is used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of surfactants for detergents and cleaning products, enabling stable amphoteric and nonionic formulations.
• Corrosion Inhibitor: In the Oil & Gas sector, MEA acts as a corrosion inhibitor component, protecting metal surfaces from oxidative attack in process streams and heat exchangers.
• pH Adjuster: Utilized in water treatment to adjust and maintain alkaline conditions, supporting coagulation, flocculation, and remineralization strategies.
• Emulsifier: Serves as an emulsifying agent in certain food-grade-compatible blends, aiding in the stabilization of oil-water interfaces and product texture management.
• Chemical Intermediate: Functions as a versatile intermediate in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical and specialty chemical compounds, enabling downstream functionalization.

Safety Precautions

Handle MEA in a well-ventilated area, using appropriate PPE including chemical resistant gloves, splash goggles, and protective clothing. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight in compatible materials such as HDPE or stainless steel, and ensure good ventilation to minimize inhalation exposure. The material is hygroscopic and should be kept under an inert or controlled atmosphere to prevent moisture uptake that could affect performance. Follow standard industrial hygiene practices and consult the SDS for detailed handling instructions.

Exposure to MEA should be managed with caution due to the potential for skin and eye irritation. In case of skin or eye contact, rinse immediately with water for several minutes; remove contaminated clothing if applicable. Severe cases require medical attention. For ingestion, do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention promptly. In the event of a large spill, evacuate personnel, isolate the area, and ventilate; spill response should follow your site’s chemical spill procedures and local regulations. The material is categorized with hazard statements including causes severe skin burns and eye damage, and harmful if swallowed.

Benefits

✔ Technical Grade Consistency – Meets established technical grade specifications with tight impurity profiles to support reliable formulations and process control.
✔ Proven Compatibility – Compatible with water and alcohol systems, enabling straightforward integration into multi-component blends and surfactant chemistries.