Technical articles

What Is the Difference Between Triethanolamine and Diethanolamine: Understanding Their Formulation Functions, Application Differences, and Selection Logic from a Molecular-Structure Perspective

1. Structural Basis for the Application Differences Between Triethanolamine and Diethanolamine

 

Triethanolamine, abbreviated as TEA, and diethanolamine, abbreviated as DEA, both belong to the ethanolamine family of compounds. Their molecules contain both amine groups and hydroxyethyl structures, giving them a certain degree of hydrophilicity, alkalinity, and salt-forming ability.

 

In personal care formulations, TEA and DEA cannot be substituted for each other simply because their names are similar. The fundamental difference between the two comes from their molecular structures: TEA is a tertiary amine triol, while DEA is a secondary amine diol. In TEA, the nitrogen atom is bonded to three hydroxyethyl groups and contains no N-H bond, so its reactivity is relatively mild. It is mainly used to neutralize acidic components, adjust pH, and improve system stability. In DEA, the nitrogen atom is bonded to two hydroxyethyl groups and retains one N-H bond. As a result, DEA has stronger reactivity and can be used to prepare DEA salts, fatty acid diethanolamides, and other reactive intermediates.

 

Comparison Item

Triethanolamine TEA

Diethanolamine DEA

Molecular formula

CH₁₅NO

CH₁₁NO

Simplified structural formula

N(CHCHOH)

HN(CHCHOH)

Amine type

Tertiary amine

Secondary amine

Number of hydroxyethyl groups

3

2

Contains N-H bond

No

Yes

Main structural characteristics

Strong hydrophilicity, weak alkalinity, able to neutralize and form salts

Higher reactivity; able to form salts and undergo amidation; associated with nitrosation risk

Main role in personal care formulations

pH adjustment, neutralization, fatty acid salt formation, auxiliary emulsification, system stabilization

Raw material for DEA salts, fatty acid diethanolamide surfactants, and related derivatives

 

2. How Structure Determines Performance

 

2.1 The Tertiary Amine Structure of TEA Determines Its Neutralization and pH-Adjustment Functions

TEA is a tertiary amine. The nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons and can accept a proton, giving TEA weak alkalinity. Because the molecule contains three hydroxyethyl groups, TEA is relatively hydrophilic and can disperse well in aqueous systems. This structure allows TEA to perform three main roles in personal care formulations:

 

Structural Basis

Molecular Behavior

Formulation Performance

Tertiary amine nitrogen atom

Accepts protons

Neutralizes acidic components and adjusts system pH

Three hydroxyethyl groups

Forms hydrogen-bonding interactions with water, polymers, and surfactants

Improves aqueous-phase compatibility and enhances dispersion and stability

No N-H bond

Relatively mild reactivity

Suitable for directly adjusting formulation structure

 

2.2 The Trihydroxy Structure of TEA Enhances Compatibility with the Aqueous Phase

TEA contains three hydroxyethyl groups. These hydroxyl groups can form hydrogen-bonding interactions with water molecules, polymer segments, and some surfactants. Compared with DEA, TEA has more hydroxyl groups, giving it stronger hydrophilicity and better compatibility with aqueous systems.

 

This characteristic provides TEA with a solid application basis in water-based personal care systems. It can adjust pH, participate in fatty acid salt formation, and improve the dispersion state of certain polymer and surfactant systems. In creams, lotions, gels, shaving creams, and cleansing products, the main functions of TEA usually include:

 

 neutralizing acidic thickeners;

 forming triethanolamine fatty acid salts with fatty acids;

 adjusting the final pH of the product;

 improving system viscosity and phase stability;

 helping form cream, gel, or soap-based structures.

 

2.3 The Secondary Amine Structure of DEA Determines Its Reactivity

DEA is a secondary amine, and its nitrogen atom retains one N-H bond. This structure makes DEA more reactive than TEA. DEA can form salts with acidic components and can also react with fatty acids, fatty acid esters, or oil-based raw materials to prepare fatty acid diethanolamides. Fatty acid diethanolamides usually contain both hydrophobic fatty chains and hydrophilic diethanolamide structures, enabling them to participate in surfactant systems and improve foam, foam stability, emulsification, and viscosity.

 

The structural characteristics of DEA can be summarized as follows:

 

Structural Basis

Molecular Behavior

Application Result

Secondary amine structure

Higher reactivity

Can serve as a reactive intermediate

N-H bond

Can participate in amidation and other reactions

Can be used to prepare fatty acid diethanolamides

Two hydroxyethyl groups

Provides hydrophilicity and hydrogen-bonding ability

Helps form derivatives with good aqueous-phase compatibility

Amine alkalinity

Can form salts with acidic components

Can form DEA salt-type ingredients

 

2.4 The Secondary Amine Structure of DEA Requires Special Attention to Nitrosamine Risk

The secondary amine structure of DEA gives it reactivity, but also introduces nitrosamine-related risk. Secondary amines may form N-nitroso compounds under nitrosating conditions. The key risk substance associated with DEA is N-nitrosodiethanolamine, abbreviated as NDELA.

 

In personal care products, the use of DEA and related ingredients requires careful evaluation of the following factors:

 

Evaluation Item

Reason for Concern

Whether nitrosating agents or potential nitrosating conditions are present

The secondary amine structure may form N-nitroso compounds

Free DEA and secondary amine content in raw materials

Impurity levels can affect the safety of the finished product

Whether nitrosamine impurities such as NDELA are present

Nitrosamines are key controlled risk substances

Whether the product is rinse-off or leave-on

Different contact times require different safety evaluations

Regulatory requirements in the target market

Different regions regulate DEA, DEA salts, and related derivatives differently

 

Although TEA is a tertiary amine and contains no N-H bond, TEA raw materials may contain trace amounts of DEA or other secondary amine impurities. Therefore, raw-material purity and nitrosamine control should also be considered. The nitrosamine risk of TEA mainly comes from secondary amine impurities, degradation, or nitrosating conditions in the formulation; it should not simply be equated with the direct nitrosation risk associated with the secondary amine structure of DEA. The safety assessment of both TEA and DEA should avoid formulation designs involving nitrosating systems.

 

3. Application Differences in Personal Care Formulations

 

3.1 The Role of TEA in Carbomer and Acrylic Thickening Systems

Carbomer and some acrylic polymers contain acidic groups. When they are not neutralized, the polymer chains remain coiled and the system has low viscosity. After an appropriate amount of TEA is added, the acidic groups are neutralized, and the polymer chains extend due to electrostatic repulsion, forming a higher-viscosity aqueous network structure. Therefore, TEA is commonly used in gels, lotions, emulsions, and some serum-type products to help achieve clear viscosity and good spreadability.

 

In these systems, key considerations for the use of TEA include:

 controlling the dosage according to the target pH;

 avoiding excessive pH, which may increase irritation;

 evaluating the influence of TEA on preservative systems, actives, and surfactant systems;

 confirming the final viscosity, transparency, and stability through small-scale testing.

 

3.2 The Role of TEA in Fatty Acid Creams, Shaving Creams, and Soap-Based Systems

TEA can react with fatty acids such as stearic acid and oleic acid to form triethanolamine fatty acid salts. These salts have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions and can reduce oil-water interfacial tension, helping form stable dispersions between the oil and water phases.

 

In stearic acid-based creams, shaving creams, and some soap-based cleansing systems, TEA usually performs the following functions:

 

Application Scenario

Role of TEA

Stearic acid-based creams

Forms salts with fatty acids, assisting emulsification and thickening

Shaving creams

Forms soap-based structures and improves body, support, and foam fineness

Soap-based facial cleansers

Adjusts the ratio of fatty acid salts, affecting foam, cleansing power, and skin feel

Emulsion systems

Improves oil-water dispersion and enhances system stability

 

3.3 The Role of TEA in pH Adjustment and System Stability in Cleansing Products

In facial cleansers, bath products, hand washes, and some household cleaning products, TEA can be used to adjust the final pH and help certain acidic surfactants, fatty acids, and polymers maintain good solubility or dispersion.

 

The role of TEA is mainly concentrated in pH adjustment, salt formation, and system stabilization. Cleansing performance is primarily provided by anionic, amphoteric, nonionic, and other surfactant systems. The influence of TEA on cleansing products is mainly reflected in system transparency, viscosity, foam state, pH, and stability.

 

3.4 The Role of DEA Salts in Personal Care Systems

From a chemical-structure perspective, DEA can form DEA salts with certain acidic components. Some DEA salts may exhibit surface activity, emulsification, dispersion, viscosity adjustment, or antistatic properties, and can be used as research subjects for chemical structure and performance studies.

 

The performance of DEA salts comes from two structural factors. On the one hand, DEA provides hydrophilic hydroxyethyl groups and an amine salt structure. On the other hand, the acidic structure combined with DEA may provide hydrophobic chain segments or surface-active structures. Together, these factors determine the foam, emulsification, and dispersion behavior of such ingredients in formulation systems. Practical application should be comprehensively evaluated based on product category, exposure mode, impurity control, and regulatory requirements in the target market.

 

3.5 The Role of Fatty Acid Diethanolamides in Foaming and Thickening Systems

DEA can be used to prepare fatty acid diethanolamides, such as cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA, and myristamide DEA. These substances were historically used in shampoos, shower gels, hand washes, and cleansing products to improve foam, foam stability, emulsification, and viscosity. Their performance comes from two parts of the molecular structure:

 

Structural Part

Contribution to Performance

Long-chain fatty acid structure

Provides hydrophobicity and enhances interactions with oil soils, oil phases, and micellar structures

Diethanolamide structure

Provides hydrophilicity and hydrogen-bonding ability, improving aqueous dispersion and foam stability

Amide structure

Enhances intermolecular interactions and helps improve viscosity and foam stability

 

Fatty acid diethanolamides of this type were historically used in cleansing and foaming systems, but modern formulations require greater caution. Practical application should focus on the evaluation of free DEA, secondary amine content, nitrosamine impurities, the presence of nitrosating conditions, and regulatory requirements in the target market.

 

4. Key Reasons Why TEA and DEA Are Not Interchangeable

 

4.1 Different Amine Types Lead to Different Reaction Pathways

TEA is a tertiary amine and mainly acts by accepting protons, neutralizing acidic components, and forming salts. DEA is a secondary amine and, in addition to forming salts, can participate in amidation and other reactions. TEA is more suitable for direct pH adjustment and system stabilization in formulations, while DEA is more suitable for preparing DEA salts, fatty acid diethanolamides, and other reactive intermediates.

 

4.2 Different Numbers of Hydroxyethyl Groups Lead to Different Aqueous-Phase Behavior

TEA contains three hydroxyethyl groups and is relatively hydrophilic, making it suitable for neutralization, dispersion, and stabilization in aqueous formulations. DEA contains two hydroxyethyl groups and also has an N-H bond, combining hydrophilicity with reactivity. This difference makes TEA more suitable as a direct formulation-adjusting ingredient in gels, creams, lotions, and shaving creams, while DEA is more suitable for entering surfactant systems or industrial reaction systems in the form of derivatives.

 

4.3 Different Modes of Action in Fatty Acid Systems

TEA mainly forms triethanolamine fatty acid salts with fatty acids, which are used to assist emulsification, thickening, cream structure formation, and foam improvement. DEA can react with fatty acids, fatty acid esters, or oil-based raw materials to prepare fatty acid diethanolamides, which are used for foam, foam stabilization, emulsification, and viscosity adjustment. Although both TEA and DEA can interact with acidic components, the resulting structures and formulation functions are different.

 

4.4 Different Safety and Regulatory Requirements

The key considerations for TEA use include final pH, irritation potential, raw-material purity, secondary amine impurities, and nitrosamine control. The key considerations for DEA are more focused on nitrosamine risk associated with its secondary amine structure, free DEA, NDELA control, and regulatory requirements.

 

Under EU cosmetics regulations, secondary alkylamines, secondary alkanolamines, and their salts are listed as prohibited substances. Therefore, the use of DEA and DEA salts in cosmetics should be treated with particular caution. Trialkylamines, trialkanolamines, and their salts, such as TEA-related ingredients, are subject to restricted-use management, with requirements covering use conditions, raw-material purity, secondary amine content, nitrosamine content, prohibition of use together with nitrosating systems, and absence of nitrites in containers. Fatty acid dialkylamides and dialkanolamides are subject to separate restricted-use conditions and also require control of secondary amines, nitrosamines, and nitrosating-system risks. Practical application should be comprehensively assessed based on target-market regulations, raw-material COA, impurity profile, and finished-product safety evaluation.

 

5. Differences in Other Industrial Applications

 

5.1 Other Industrial Applications of TEA

The tertiary amine triol structure of TEA gives it weak alkalinity, hydrophilicity, salt-forming ability, and a certain degree of dispersing effect. In other industries, TEA is mainly used in systems related to pH adjustment, neutralization, dispersion, buffering, and rust inhibition. These applications follow the same logic as TEA’s role in personal care formulations and all originate from its weak alkalinity, hydrophilicity, and salt-forming ability.

 

Industry

Main Role of TEA

Water-based coatings and inks

Neutralizes acidic resins, assists pigment dispersion, and stabilizes aqueous systems

Metalworking fluids

Adjusts pH and assists corrosion and rust inhibition

Cement and concrete admixtures

Acts as a grinding aid or regulating component to improve processing performance

Textile and leather processing

Adjusts pH and assists dispersion and penetration

Agrochemical formulations

Forms salts with acidic components and improves aqueous-phase compatibility

 

5.2 Other Industrial Applications of DEA

The secondary amine diol structure of DEA gives it relatively strong reactivity and acid-gas absorption capacity. In addition to personal care-related derivatives, DEA is commonly used in industrial fields such as gas purification, surfactant synthesis, corrosion inhibitor intermediates, and other chemical synthesis processes.

 

Industry

Main Role of DEA

Natural gas and refinery gas treatment

Absorbs acid gases such as CO and HS

Surfactant synthesis

Used to prepare DEA salts and fatty acid diethanolamides

Corrosion inhibitors

Serves as a structural unit in products such as triazine-type corrosion inhibitors

Polyurethane systems

Used as a related additive or reactive component

Agrochemical and pharmaceutical intermediates

Used for derivatization based on its secondary amine and hydroxyl structures

 

The value of DEA in industrial applications mainly comes from the reactivity of its secondary amine structure. Its suitability should be judged based on the application scenario, exposure route, regulatory requirements, and risk-control capability.

 

6. Summary

 

The selection of TEA or DEA should be based on the formulation objective:

 

Formulation or Application Objective

Preferred Direction

Rationale

Neutralizing carbomer or acrylic thickeners

TEA

Good weak alkalinity and aqueous-phase compatibility as a tertiary amine

Building stearic acid-based creams, shaving creams, or soap-based systems

TEA

Can form triethanolamine fatty acid salts with fatty acids

Adjusting pH and stabilizing emulsion systems

TEA

Mild reactivity, suitable for direct formulation adjustment

Preparing DEA salts or fatty acid diethanolamides

DEA

Secondary amine structure is suitable for salt formation and amidation

Designing foam, foam-stabilizing, and viscosity systems

Surfactant blend systems; carefully evaluate DEA-related ingredients

Performance, impurity control, and regulatory requirements all need to be considered

Products for sensitive skin, baby and child care, or leave-on applications

Prefer reducing the use of DEA-related ingredients

Nitrosamine and free DEA risks need to be strictly controlled

Gas purification, corrosion inhibitors, and intermediate synthesis

DEA

Secondary amine structure is suitable for acid-gas absorption and reactive applications

 

7. Representative Chemical Classification Tables Related to Structure–Application Research on Triethanolamine and Diethanolamine

 

Table 1. Ethanolamines, Related Amines, and pH-Adjusting Reagents

 

Category

CAS No.

Aladdin Catalog No.

Name

Specification or Purity

Product Features and Applications

Core ethanolamines

102-71-6

T478536

Triethanolamine

Reagent grade, ≥98%

A representative tertiary amine triol, used in studies on neutralization, salt formation, pH adjustment, fatty acid soap systems, and carbomer gel systems

Core ethanolamines

111-42-2

D112361

Diethanolamine (DEA)

ACS, ≥99% (GC)

A representative secondary amine diol, used in studies on diethanolamine salts, diethanolamide derivatives, acid gas absorption, and nitrosamine risk

Core ethanolamines

141-43-5

E301792

Ethanolamine

≥99.7%

A representative primary ethanolamine, used in comparative studies on structure–activity relationships within the ethanolamine series, acid–base neutralization, and surfactant synthesis

Ethanolamine-derived amines

105-59-9

M105603

N-Methyldiethanolamine

≥99%

A tertiary amine-type diethanolamine derivative, used in studies on amine alkalinity, acid gas absorption, and structural comparison

Ethanolamine-derived amines

110-97-4

D106370

Diisopropanolamine (mixture of DL and meso forms)

≥98%

A secondary alkanolamine compound, used in structural comparison with diethanolamine analogues and in studies on corrosion inhibitors and gas-treatment systems

Ethanolamine-derived amines

122-20-3

T105008

Triisopropanolamine (TIPA)

≥95%, mixture of isomers

A tertiary alkanolamine compound, used in structural comparison with triethanolamine analogues and in studies on cement grinding aids and alkaline adjustment systems

Organic amine neutralizer

124-68-5

A755868

2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol

BioReagent, ≥95%

An organic amine neutralizer, used in studies on pH adjustment of carbomer, acrylic polymers, and aqueous systems

Buffering and neutralizing reagent

77-86-1

T110601

Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris base)

Molecular biology grade, ≥99.9% (T)

An amine buffering reagent, used in studies on weakly alkaline buffer systems and comparative evaluation of pH-adjusting capacity among amines

Inorganic alkaline neutralizer

1310-58-3

P431767

Potassium hydroxide

Anhydrous grade, ≥99.95% metals basis

A strong alkaline neutralizer, used in studies on potassium fatty acid soaps, soap-based cleansing systems, and alkaline adjustment controls

Inorganic alkaline neutralizer

1310-73-2

S580606

Sodium hydroxide

≥98%, granular

A strong alkaline neutralizer, used in studies on sodium fatty acid soaps, pH adjustment in cleansing systems, and alkaline neutralization controls

Acidic pH adjuster

77-92-9

C108869

Citric acid, anhydrous

AR, ≥99.5% (T)

A polybasic organic acid, used in studies on pH back-adjustment and stability of cleansing, skin-care, and buffer systems

Acidic pH adjuster

50-21-5

L291732

Lactic acid solution

1.00 Normal

A hydroxy acid pH adjuster, used in studies on mildly acidic systems, buffer systems, and acid–base neutralization evaluation

 

Table 2. Fatty Acids, Triethanolamine Salt-Formation Systems, and Fatty Acid Soap-Related Products

 

Category

CAS No.

Aladdin Catalog No.

Name

Specification or Purity

Product Features and Applications

Fatty acid salt-formation system

143-07-7

L432090

Lauric acid

Moligand™, suitable for synthesis

A medium-chain fatty acid, used in studies on fatty acid soaps, triethanolamine salts, and cleansing foam systems

Fatty acid salt-formation system

544-63-8

M108286

Myristic acid

Moligand™, ≥99% (GC)

A straight-chain fatty acid, used in comparative studies on soap-based facial cleansers, fatty acid salt structures, and foam performance

Fatty acid salt-formation system

57-10-3

P753896

Palmitic acid

Stearic acid ≤0.5%

A long-chain saturated fatty acid, used in studies on triethanolamine fatty acid salts, cream structures, and soap-based systems

Fatty acid salt-formation system

57-11-4

S298767

Stearic acid

Moligand™, C18: 98%

A commonly used fatty acid in stearic acid-based creams and shaving creams, used in studies on triethanolamine soaps, emulsifying thickening, and cream body support

Fatty acid salt-formation system

112-80-1

O1456059

Oleic acid

USP, ≥98%

An unsaturated fatty acid, used in studies on triethanolamine oleate, emulsion systems, and oil-phase dispersion

Fatty acid salt-formation system

60-33-3

L100441

Linoleic acid

Moligand™, ≥99% (GC)

A polyunsaturated fatty acid, used in studies on unsaturated fatty acid salts, oxidative stability, and salt-formation systems

Triethanolamine salt-type surfactant

2717-15-9

T483086

Triethanolamine oleate

Acid value ≤10 mg KOH/g; saponification value 120–140 mg KOH/g

A triethanolamine fatty acid salt product, used in studies on oleate emulsification, dispersion, and cream structure

Triethanolamine salt-type surfactant

139-96-8

T579910

Triethanolamine lauryl sulfate (salt) (K12-T)

40% aqueous solution

A triethanolamine salt-type anionic surfactant, used in formulation evaluation of cleansing, foaming, and mildness

 

Table 3. Diethanolamide-Type Compounds, Surfactants, and Blend-System-Related Products

 

Category

CAS No.

Aladdin Catalog No.

Name

Specification or Purity

Product Features and Applications

Diethanolamide-type compounds

68603-42-9

C304384

N,N-Bis(hydroxyethyl)cocamide

Model: 6501 (1:1)

A coconut-derived diethanolamide product, used in studies on foam stabilization, viscosity adjustment, emulsification, and diethanolamine derivatives

Diethanolamide-type compounds

120-40-1

N768850

Lauric acid diethanolamide (LDEA)

_

Lauric acid diethanolamide, used in studies on anionic surfactant blending, foam stabilization, and thickening systems

Diethanolamide-type compounds

7545-23-5

N694798

N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)tetradecanamide

≥98%

Myristic acid diethanolamide, used in studies on the effects of carbon-chain length on foam, emulsification, and viscosity

Diethanolamide-type compounds

93-82-3

N693393

N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)octadecanamide

≥95%

Stearic acid diethanolamide, used in studies on long-chain amide structures, cream thickening, and emulsion systems

Diethanolamide-type compounds

93-83-4

D770789

(Z)-N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-9-octadecenamide

≥98%

Oleic acid diethanolamide, used in studies on unsaturated fatty-chain amides, emulsification, and surface-active structures

Non-diethanolamide-type compound

142-78-9

N190895

N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide

≥98%

A monoethanolamide product, used as a structural reference for diethanolamides and in studies on foam stabilization and thickening

Anionic surfactant

151-21-3

S432157

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)

Anhydrous grade, ACS, ≥99%

A typical sulfate-type surfactant, used in studies on cleansing power, foaming performance, and amide-type thickening blends

Anionic surfactant

9004-82-4

S196294

Sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate

≥25%

An ether sulfate-type surfactant, used in studies on shampoo, body-wash, and amide-type foam-stabilizing and thickening blends

Amphoteric surfactant

61789-40-0

C665446

Cocamidopropyl betaine

Actives content 28%–32% in water

An amphoteric surfactant, used in studies on mild cleansing, foam improvement, and anionic surfactant blending

Nonionic surfactant

68515-73-1

T476404

Decyl glucoside (APG)

Moligand™, 60% in HO

A glycoside-type nonionic surfactant, used in studies on mild cleansing, low-irritation formulations, and surfactant blending

Amino acid surfactant

29923-31-7

S339866

Sodium lauroyl glutamate

≥95%

An amino acid-type anionic surfactant, used in studies on mild cleansing, foam evaluation, and alternatives to diethanolamine-related systems

 

Table 4. Thickening Gel Systems, Rheology Modifiers, and Nitrosamine Risk-Control-Related Products

 

Category

CAS No.

Aladdin Catalog No.

Name

Specification or Purity

Product Features and Applications

Acrylic thickening system

9003-01-4

P661414

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)

Viscosity ≤2000 cP (25°C)

An acidic polymer, used in studies on triethanolamine-neutralized thickening, gel formation, and pH response

Acrylic thickening system

9007-20-9

C299587

Carbomer 940 (Carbopol® 940 polymer)

_

A crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) thickener, used in studies on triethanolamine neutralization, gel viscosity, and transparent systems

Cellulose thickener

9004-62-0

H434475

2-Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)

Average Mw ~380,000

A nonionic cellulose thickener, used in studies on rheology modification in cleansing, lotion, and gel systems

Natural polysaccharide thickener

11138-66-2

G104873

Xanthan gum

PharmPure™, USP

A polysaccharide thickener, used in studies on suspension, viscosity control, and electrolyte tolerance in personal care systems

Nitrosation risk-related reagent

7632-00-0

S111972

Sodium nitrite

AR, ≥99%

A reagent related to nitrosation risk assessment, impurity control, and method validation

Nitrosamine risk detection

1116-54-7

N159088

N-Nitrosodiethanolamine

≥97% (GC)

A target analyte for controlling diethanolamine-related nitrosamines, used in method development, quality control, and risk assessment

Nitrosamine risk detection

55-18-5

N109571

N-Nitrosodiethylamine

≥99%

A nitrosamine standard, used in impurity analysis studies of amine raw materials and personal care systems

Nitrosamine risk detection

62-75-9

N396014

N-Nitrosodimethylamine

≥99%

A volatile nitrosamine standard, used in method development and quality control for nitrosamine detection

 

Note: The products listed above are representative Aladdin products related to scientific research and formulation studies. They may be used in studies such as structure–performance comparison, formulation performance evaluation, impurity control, and regulatory risk assessment. For products involving DEA, DEA salts, and fatty acid diethanolamides, practical application should be comprehensively evaluated based on target-market regulations, COA, free DEA/secondary amines, nitrosamines, nitrosating conditions, and other relevant factors. For more product specifications, grades, and COA information, please search by “product name/CAS/catalog number” on the Aladdin website.

 

References

 

[1] PubChem. Triethanolamine. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

 

[2] PubChem. Diethanolamine. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

 

[3] Fiume M M, Bergfeld W F, Belsito D V, et al. Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine and Triethanolamine-Containing Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 2013, 32(Suppl. 1): 59S–83S.

 

[4] Fiume M M, Heldreth B, Bergfeld W F, et al. Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 2017, 36(Suppl. 2): 89S–110S.

 

[5] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Diethanolamine. Cosmetic Ingredients.

 

[6] European Parliament and Council. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products.

 

[7] Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. Opinion on Nitrosamines and Secondary Amines in Cosmetic Products, SCCS/1458/11.

 

[8] Dow. Triethanolamine Product Information.

 

[9] Dow. Diethanolamine Product Information.

 

[10] BASF. Triethanolamine Product Information.

 

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Categories: Technical articles

Da — when not otherwise indicated, molecular weight units are daltons.   Mw — weight-average molecular weight.   Mn — number-average molecular weight.

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Aladdin Scientific. "What Is the Difference Between Triethanolamine and Diethanolamine: Understanding Their Formulation Functions, Application Differences, and Selection Logic from a Molecular-Structure Perspective" Aladdin Knowledge Base, updated Jul 1, 2026. https://www.aladdinsci.com/us_en/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-triethanolamine-and-diethanolamine-en.html
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