Ingredient Dictionary

TRIETHYLAMINE

Triethylamine is a tertiary amine that is ammonia in which each hydrogen atom is substituted by an ethyl group.

Definition

Triethylamine is a tertiary amine that is ammonia in which each hydrogen atom is substituted by an ethyl group.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII VOU728O6AY · registered name Triethylamine · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps an emulsion from separatingEMULSION STABILISING

Safety & regulatory references

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H311 (category 3) · H314 (category 1A) · H331 (category 3) · +2 more

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Restriction III/62 Trialkylamines, trialkanolamines and their salts

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

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

Names & identifiers

TRIETHYLAMINEINCIEthanamine, N,N-diethyl-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 121-44-8
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID3024366
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID204366

IUPAC: N,N-Diethylethanamine
Molecular formula: C6H15N
Molecular weight: 101.193 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Triethylamine appears as a clear colorless liquid with a strong ammonia to fish-like odor. Flash point 20 °F. Vapors irritate the eyes and mucous membranes. Less dense (6.1 lb / gal) than water. Vapors heavier than air. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen when burned. · Liquid, CBI
Odour: Strong, ammoniacal ordor · Fishy
Boiling point: 192.7 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 88.8 °C
Melting point: -174.5 °F (NTP, 1992) · -114.7 °C
Solubility: Soluble (NTP, 1992) · In water, 6.86X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C
Density: 0.729 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.7275 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Colour: colourless
Odour threshold: 1.12 ㎎/㎥
pH: 12.5
Melting/freezing point: -115 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 88~90 ℃ (at 1013 hPa)
Flash point: -11 ℃
Evaporation rate: 5.6
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 8 / 1.2 %
Vapour pressure: 7.2 ㎪ (20℃)
Water solubility: 17 g/100㎖ (20 ℃ (1), (2))
Vapour density: 3.5
Relative density: 0.7
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 1.45
Auto-ignition temperature: 230 ℃
Viscosity: 363000 (25℃)
Molecular weight: 101.19

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 18 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.

Processing aids not otherwise specified3
Intermediate3
Flavouring and nutrient2
Surfactant (surface active agent)2
Emulsifier1
Solvent1
Pigment1
Biocide1

4 other uses

Dispersing agent1
Surface modifier1
Cleaning agent1
pH regulating agent1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

6 skin studies and 4 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

Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to other guideline: "Development and Validation of an Alternative Dermal Sensitization Test : Mouse Ear Swelling Test (MEST)," by Gad S.C., Dunn B.J., and Dobbs, D.W. in Toxicol. and Appl. Pharmacol, 84, 93-114 (1986)
Category 8.2B (Category 1B)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Corrosive
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Not classified
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Skin Corr. 1A
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
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