Diethylamine

Synonyms

N,N-Diethylamine; N-Ethylethanamine; Diethamine; Ethanamine, N-ethyl; [CHEMINFO] UN1154

Category

Amines, Aliphatic

Description

Colorless liquid with a fishy, ammonia-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used in the manufacture of rubber, petroleum products, resins, dyes, and pharmaceuticals; [Merck Index] Used as a corrosion inhibitor, rubber accelerator, and polymerization inhibitor; Also used in electroplating and as an organic intermediate; A metabolite of the drug disulfiram used in the treatment of alcohol abuse; [ACGIH]

Comments

Diethylamine can cause necrosis to the skin. Rabbits exposed to 100 ppm, 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks have bronchopneumonia; [ACGIH] If left on clothing, can cause reddening of skin; [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Causes liver damage in high-dose animal studies; [HSDB] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Yes

5 ppm

15 ppm

25 ppm

2 ppm

200 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been stated that the simple alkyl amines are generally more toxic than ammonia [ACGIH 1991]. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists TLV for diethylamine (10 ppm TWA, 25 ppm STEL) was based on an analogy to ammonia (25 ppm TWA, 35 ppm STEL) [ACGIH 1991].

237 mm Hg

0.02 ppm

Odor Threshold High

14 ppm

184 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 4,000 ppm/4H

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.053 ppm); Flash point = -20 deg F; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

may ignite at ambient temp

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Not Classifiable

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Electroplating
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing