Overview
Monoethylamine (MEA) is a primary amine with significant industrial importance as both a solvent and chemical building block. As the simplest ethylamine compound, it serves as a precursor for numerous derivatives in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals. The commercial product typically contains 60-70% aqueous solutions for safer handling, though anhydrous forms are available for specific applications. First produced commercially in the early 20th century, MEA's production has grown alongside the synthetic rubber and pharmaceutical industries. Modern manufacturing primarily involves ethanol amination processes or reductive amination of acetaldehyde, with global production exceeding 100,000 tons annually to meet diverse industrial demands.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Monoethylamine exhibits characteristic alkaline properties of primary amines, with a pKa of 10.7 that enables reactions with acids to form stable salts. Its low boiling point requires pressurized containers for liquid storage at room temperature. The compound's vapor pressure of 1.2 atm at 20°C necessitates careful handling to prevent vapor accumulation. Chemically, MEA participates in nucleophilic substitution reactions and serves as an effective hydrogen bond donor/acceptor. These properties make it valuable for catalysis and molecular interactions in synthetic chemistry. The substance's complete miscibility with water and polar solvents contrasts with limited solubility in non-polar hydrocarbons, informing its solvent selection for specific extraction processes.
Main Applications
In rubber manufacturing, MEA functions as an accelerator precursor in vulcanization processes, improving cross-linking efficiency in synthetic elastomers. The pharmaceutical industry utilizes it for synthesizing antihistamines, local anesthetics, and other nitrogen-containing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Agricultural applications include MEA's role in producing herbicides like atrazine and fungicides. As a solvent, it effectively dissolves cellulose derivatives and certain resins, finding use in specialty coatings. Emerging applications include its use as a CO2 capture agent in gas treatment processes, leveraging its amine functionality for acid gas removal.
Safety and Storage
MEA requires DOT-approved pressure-rated containers with corrosion-resistant linings for storage. Optimal conditions maintain temperatures below 25°C with inert gas padding to prevent decomposition. Facilities should equip storage areas with explosion-proof ventilation and grounded conductive flooring. Personnel handling MEA must wear chemical-resistant gloves (butyl rubber recommended), face shields, and supplied-air respirators for concentrated vapor exposure. Spill response kits should include acid neutralizers (vinegar or citric acid solutions) and non-combustible absorbents. Emergency procedures must account for the compound's flammability (flash point -17°C) and potential for forming explosive vapor-air mixtures.
B2B Procurement Guide
Industrial buyers should evaluate suppliers based on ISO 9001 certification for quality management and Responsible Care® compliance for chemical distribution. Bulk shipments (ISO tank containers or railcars) typically offer 15-20% cost advantages over drum quantities for large-volume users. Technical specifications should verify water content (<0.5% for anhydrous grade) and assay purity (>99% for pharmaceutical applications). Consider regional logistics - coastal facilities may benefit from maritime transport, while inland operations might prefer rail-served suppliers. Contract terms should include purity guarantees, delivery schedules, and provisions for independent quality verification upon receipt.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：一乙胺、乙二醇
- 主营：航空煤油取暖油燃料油、乙二醇二醋酸酯、乙二醇丁醚、溶剂油 D系列溶剂油、一二三乙醇胺、聚甲氧基二甲醚、过氯乙烯树脂、高氯化聚乙烯、氯化橡胶、二乙二醇丁醚、亚硝酸钙、正丁醇、异丁醇、异丙醇、碳酸二甲酯、碳酸二乙酯、甲基丙烯酸甲酯、硫酸锆、硫酸锌、硝酸铝、硝酸铁、硝酸铜、苯酚、白油、乙酸乙酯、醋酸甲酯
- 主营：航空煤油、异构十二烷、二氯甲烷、120号溶剂油、260号溶剂油、三氯乙烯、四氯乙烯、正十四烷、甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯、丙烯酸、碳酸二甲酯、60号全精炼石蜡、顺酐、苯酐、80号微晶蜡、甲基苯骈三氮唑、甲基丙烯酸、二月桂酸二丁基锡、精萘、硫脲、二茂铁、莫卡、邻苯二甲酸二辛酯、抗氧剂BHT501、亚磷酸
- 主营：回收钛白粉、回收硫酸铜、回收氯化亚锡、回收溶剂、回收锌粉、回收油漆、回收石蜡、回收己内酰胺、回收水银、回收丙烯酸树脂、回收氧化锌、回收硫酸亚锡、回收碳酸锂、回收碳酸钾、回收氢氧化锂、回收氢氧化钠、回收氢氧化钾、回收硼酸、回收硼砂、回收煤焦油、回收烧火油、回收环氧树脂、回收过期油漆、回收白砂糖、回收柠檬酸
- 主营：黄糊精、松醇油、氨基磺酸、一乙胺蓄电池陶瓷、戊二醛、五氧化二钒、福美钠、二号浮选油、牛油脂肪酸、漂粉精、氧化铅、九水硫化钠、氨基锂、次氯酸钙、蛋白胨、羟基乙叉二膦酸、苯甲醇、苯亚磺酸钠、氯铂酸、硅酸镁铝、草酸亚铁、草酸钛钾、甲基磺酸铋、牛骨蛋白胨、苄基胂酸、氟化氢钾
- 主营：甲基磺酸、乙醇钠、盐酸胍、一乙胺、对氯苯甲酸、丙酸乙酯、乙二醛、正丁醚、十二烷基苯、对二氯苯、硫醇、多聚磷酸、戊二醛、二氯甲烷、碳酸钾、双氰胺、偶氮二异丁腈、正己醇、乙腈、二氧六环、水杨醛、对甲酚、吗啉、咪唑、四甲基乙二胺
- 主营：阻燃剂、胶黏剂、硫酸锆、一乙胺、聚合物、锂电池、烟酰胺、牛磺酸、灭火剂、肉桂醇、碳酸镍、碳酸镉、乙氧基、浮选剂、稀释剂、胶凝剂、马尿酸、珠光剂、甲酸钙、偏磷酸、米氏酮、酸甲酯、抑制剂、乙酸锌、甲酸钠、碳酸锰
- 主营：乙二醇系列、增塑剂系列、丙烯酸系列、一乙醇胺、醋酸系列、醇胺系列、二氯系列、酯类、醇类、醚类、酰胺类、乙烯类、清洗类、甲基吡洛烷酮、甲基异丁基酮、乙二醇丁醚、硅烷偶联剂、二甲基亚砜、二乙烯三胺、四氢呋喃、亚氯酸钠、丙二醇甲醚、熟桐油、凡士林、硼酸、乙腈
- 主营：回收镍、回收pe蜡、回收石墨、回收一乙胺溶剂、回收奶粉、回收废油、回收胶粉、回收水银、回收油漆、回收白砂糖、回收硫酸铵、回收氯化石蜡、回收树脂、回收氧化锌、回收硫酸亚锡、回收硫酸铜、回收氯化亚锡、回收钛白粉、回收氯化锂、回收钴酸锂