Diethylenetriamine

March 30, 2020
I can help make CO2 capture profitable.
What molecule am I?
Image of Diethylenetriamine 3D Image of Diethylenetriamine

The three amine groups in diethylenetriamine (DETA) make it water-soluble and basic enough to extract acids from gases and hydrocarbon mixtures. Like most organic amines, it has an ammonia-like odor. Its profound toxicity is illustrated by all the category 1 ratings shown in the hazard information table.

The three nitrogen atoms make DETA an excellent complexing agent for metals such as cobalt, copper, and platinum. Some DETA-based metal complexes can be used to catalyze organic reactions; examples are the oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide and Heck cross-coupling reactions.

Recently, Julien Leclaire at the University of Lyon (France) and colleagues there and at the University of Turin (Italy) showed that the cost of carbon dioxide capture with DETA can be offset by another environmentally beneficial process. The chemists devised a way to by adding DETA to the aqueous solutions, then bubbling CO2 through the mixture. A series of ligand exchange reactions results in the formation of an insoluble carbonate of the target metal.

The authors demonstrated their technique by removing lanthanum as La2(CO3)3 from a La鈥揘i mixture and by separating the solubilized metals from a La鈥揅o鈥揘i battery anode alloy into the individual components with 97% or greater purity. Their aim is to collaborate with metal recyclers to develop and commercialize their technology.

顿颈别迟丑测濒别苍别迟谤颈补尘颈苍别听hazard information

Hazard class*Hazard statement
Acute toxicity, oral, category 4H302鈥擧armful if swallowedChemical Safety Warning
Acute toxicity, dermal, category 4H312鈥擧armful in contact with skinChemical Safety Warning
Skin corrosion/irritation, category 1BH314鈥擟auses severe skin burns and eye damageChemical Safety Warning
Skin sensitization, category 1H317鈥擬ay cause an allergic skin reactionChemical Safety Warning
Serious eye damage, category 1H318鈥擟auses serious eye damage聽Chemical Safety Warning
Acute toxicity, inhalation, category 1H330鈥擣atal if inhaledChemical Safety Warning
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, respiratory tract irritation, category 1H335鈥擬ay cause respiratory irritationChemical Safety Warning

聽*Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

顿颈别迟丑测濒别苍别迟谤颈补尘颈苍别听
fast facts

CAS Reg. No.111-40-0

nomenclature
1,2-Ethanediamine, N-(2-aminoethyl)-
Empirical formulaC4H13N3
Molar mass103.17 g/mol
AppearanceColorless to yellow liquid
Boiling point207 潞C
Water solubilityMiscible
Chemical Abstract Service - a division of ACS

, the most authoritative and comprehensive source for chemical information.

Molecule of the Week needs your suggestions!

If your favorite molecule is not in our聽archive, please send us a message. The molecule can be notable for its current or historical importance or for any quirky reason. Thank you!

Stay Ahead of the Chemistry Curve

Learn how ACS can help you stay ahead in the world of chemistry.