Ingredient Dictionary

METHYLETHANOLAMINE

N-methylethanolamine is an ethanolamine compound having an N-methyl substituent.

Definition

N-methylethanolamine is an ethanolamine compound having an N-methyl substituent.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII ZMQ4G4V497 · registered name 2-(Methylamino)ethanol · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps pH steadyBUFFERING

Safety & regulatory references

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H373 (category 2) · H335 (category 3) · H314 (category 1B) · +2 more

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

METHYLETHANOLAMINEINCI메틸에탄올아민Korean label name (MFDS standard)Ethanol, 2-(methylamino)-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 109-83-1
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-710-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID5025603
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID905603

IUPAC: 2-(Methylamino)ethan-1-ol
Molecular formula: C3H9NO
Molecular weight: 75.111 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Methylethanolamine appears as a clear colorless liquid. Flash point 165 °F. Less dense than water and soluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Used to make other chemicals. · Liquid, CBI
Odour: Fishy
Boiling point: 316 °F at 760 mmHg, 147-149 °F at 12 mmHg, 126 °F at 6 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 1559.24 °C
Melting point: 23.9 °F (NTP, 1992) · -3 °C
Solubility: Very soluble (NTP, 1992) · Miscible with alcohol, ether
Density: 0.9414 (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.937 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Viscosity: 13.0 mPa s at 20 °C · 13 cP (20℃)
pH: A strong base
Dissociation constant: pKa = 9.95 at 20 °C
Melting/freezing point: -5 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 158 ℃
Flash point: 74 ℃(o.c.)
Evaporation rate: 0.0532
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 2.6 / 0.9 %
Vapour pressure: 1.08 ㎜Hg (25℃)
Water solubility: 100 g/100㎖ (25℃)
Vapour density: 2.6
Relative density: 0.937
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.94
Auto-ignition temperature: 350 ℃
Molecular weight: 75.11

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 7 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Solvent2
Intermediate2
pH regulating agent2
Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

7 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 10 studies

Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Corrosive
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 8.2C (Category 1C)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Moderate or Mild Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Skin Corr. 1B
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
High Frequency of Sensitization
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Corrosive or Irritation Persists for > 21 days
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across