Monoethanolamine (MEA) ACS Grade

Product Overview

Monoethanolamine (MEA) ACS Grade is a colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid with a characteristic ammonia-like odor. As a primary amine and alcohol, MEA provides versatile base functionality and surfactant properties that are essential in analytical, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations. Our ACS Grade MEA is packaged to meet stringent quality controls, with a typical assay of 99.8 wt% and a wide specification window (min 99%, max 100.5%), ensuring reliable performance across a broad range of processes. The product is tested by titration with standardized NaOH, delivering traceable assay results that support compliance with ACS Reagent Grade expectations and USP-NF monograph standards. This material is formulated to maintain low impurities, including stringent limits on chlorides, sulfates, heavy metals, and trace metals, supporting purity-dependent applications and analytical integrity.

The color specification (APHA ≤5, typical ≤3) and controlled moisture content (water ≤0.5%, typical 0.1%) contribute to consistent physical properties such as density (typical 1.0125 g/mL at 20°C) and refractive index (1.446 at 20°C). MEA’s boiling range of 168–170°C and a flash point of 11°C enable stable handling in controlled environments while facilitating its use as a reactive intermediary and surfactant in a variety of industrial and laboratory settings. Proper storage under inert conditions, in HDPE or glass containers, and adherence to storage guidance preserves product integrity and minimizes moisture uptake, ensuring consistent performance in both analytical workflows and process-scale operations.

Key Properties

• CAS: 141-43-5
• Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
• Odor: Ammonia-like odor
• Boiling Point (°C): 168-170
• Freezing Point (°C): 10
• Specific Gravity (20°C): 1.01–1.015 (typical 1.0125)
• Molecular Weight: 61.08 g/mol
• Density (25°C): 1.01 g/mL
• Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohols
• Flash Point: 11°C (52°F)
• Vapor Pressure (20°C): 0.5 mmHg
• Refractive Index (20°C): 1.446
• Chloride (Cl⁻) (ppm, max): 20 (typical 5)

Common Applications

• HPLC Mobile Phase: Commonly used as a mobile phase component in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for separating organic compounds.
• pH Adjuster: Used to adjust pH levels in various industrial water treatment processes, enabling control of speciation and corrosion dynamics.
• Surfactant: Acts as a surfactant in formulations for shampoos and skin care products, enhancing wetting and emulsification properties.
• Corrosion Inhibitor: Serves as a corrosion inhibitor in metalworking fluids and other industrial applications, protecting metal surfaces under processing conditions.
• Chemical Intermediate: Used as a building block in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical compounds and specialty chemicals.
• Buffering Agent: Provides buffering capacity in analytical and process streams, stabilizing pH in labs and manufacturing lines.

Safety Precautions

Handling MEA ACS Grade requires appropriate PPE, including chemical-resistant gloves and splash-protective goggles; use in a well-ventilated area to minimize inhalation exposure. Store in a cool, dry place in HDPE or glass containers, away from moisture and incompatible materials, with containers tightly closed to limit moisture uptake and contamination. Follow standard laboratory and industrial hygiene practices, and utilize containment strategies during transfer to prevent spills and aerosol generation.

Additional safety considerations include adherence to OSHA-registered handling guidelines, implementation of emergency eyewash stations, and readiness with appropriate spill response materials. In case of exposure, follow the SDS guidance: for skin contact, wash with plenty of soap and water; for eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; for inhalation, move to fresh air and seek medical assistance if symptoms occur; for ingestion, do not induce vomiting and seek medical attention. Evacuation procedures should be in place for accidental releases, with proper ventilation and containment to prevent environmental release.

Benefits

✔ High Purity and Consistent Quality – ACS-grade MEA with tight assay range and controlled impurity profile supports reliable analytical and process outcomes.
✔ Versatile Base and Surfactant – Functions effectively as a base, buffering agent, and surfactant in diverse formulations and reactors, enabling streamlined workflows.
✔ Industry-Standard Compliance – Meets ACS Reagent Grade and USP-NF monograph expectations, with comprehensive quality documentation and traceability.
✔ Rigorous Impurity Control – Low levels of chlorides, heavy metals, and residuals preserve analytical integrity and product stability in sensitive applications.