Ethanolamine
(Redirected from Olamine)
Ethanolamine (2-aminoethanol, monoethanolamine, ETA, or MEA) is an organic chemical compound with the formula HOCH2CH2NH2. This colorless, viscous liquid with an ammonia-like odor is a significant biological compound and industrial chemical. Ethanolamine acts both as a primary amine and a primary alcohol. Due to its dual functionality, it is a versatile intermediate in the synthesis of various chemical products.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Ethanolamine is a bifunctional molecule containing both an amine and an alcohol group. This allows it to participate in a wide range of chemical reactions, making it a valuable intermediate in the chemical industry. It is miscible with water, alcohols, and most organic solvents, but has limited solubility in hydrocarbons. Ethanolamine is a weak base and can form salts with acids.
Production[edit | edit source]
Ethanolamine is primarily produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with ammonia, a process that can yield mono-, di-, and triethanolamines. The reaction can be adjusted to favor the production of ethanolamine by controlling the stoichiometry and reaction conditions.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Ethanolamine has a wide range of applications due to its unique properties. It is used in the manufacture of surfactants and detergents, where it acts as an emulsifying agent. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used in the production of emulsions and as a pH adjuster. Ethanolamine is also a key ingredient in the production of herbicides, particularly those of the chlorophenoxy family. Additionally, it is used in gas treatment processes for scrubbing acid gases due to its ability to absorb carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.
Safety and Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]
Ethanolamine is considered to be moderately toxic and can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system upon exposure. It should be handled with care, using appropriate personal protective equipment. In the environment, ethanolamine can break down into harmless substances, but its release into water and soil should still be minimized to prevent potential harm to aquatic life and ecosystems.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
