Chemical Name: Triethylamine
CAS Number: 121-44-8
Synonyms: TEA, N,N-Diethylethanamine
Product Use: Chemical intermediate, catalyst, corrosion inhibitor, pharmaceutical synthesis
Manufacturer Information: Supplier addresses and emergency phone numbers should be sourced from the product label or purchasing documentation
Emergency Overview: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid, strong ammonia-like odor, highly flammable, toxic by inhalation and ingestion, severely irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
GHS Classification: Flammable Liquid (Category 2); Acute Toxicity, Inhalation (Category 4); Serious Eye Damage/Irritation (Category 2A); Skin Irritation (Category 2)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Causes skin and serious eye irritation. Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. May cause respiratory irritation and burns. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark, corrosion
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, dermal, ocular, ingestion
Target Organs: Respiratory tract, skin, eyes, central nervous system
Component: Triethylamine
Concentration: >98% by weight
CAS Number: 121-44-8
Impurities: Trace byproducts and water, below 2%
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. Seek immediate medical attention for difficulty breathing or prolonged exposure.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash exposed area with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Medical evaluation is necessary if irritation or symptoms persist.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids apart. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Call a doctor right away as eye exposure can cause severe damage.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Get immediate medical help. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam. Use water spray only to cool unopened containers or protect surroundings.
Specific Hazards: Vapors are heavier than air, spread along surfaces, and ignite easily. Containers may explode if exposed to fire. Intense smoke and toxic nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may be produced.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus. Approach from upwind, avoid inhaling fumes.
Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves, chemical-resistant clothing, goggles, and an approved respirator. Evacuate non-essential personnel and ventilate area well. Eliminate all possible sources of ignition.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff to sewers, soil, and waterways, as TEA is toxic to aquatic life. Notify authorities if leaks cannot be controlled.
Spill Cleanup Methods: Absorb liquid with inert materials (sand, earth, or vermiculite). Use non-sparking tools. Collect residue in properly labeled containers for disposal. Decontaminate area with detergent and water. Ventilate and wash area after cleanup is completed.
Safe Handling: Avoid breathing vapors, mists, or spraying. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Only use in well-ventilated areas with explosion-proof equipment. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, hot surfaces. Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
Safe Storage: Store tightly closed in original container. Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated, flame-proof area away from incompatible materials such as acids, oxidizers, and halogens. Avoid storing with food, beverages, or feedstuffs. Always label storage containers clearly.
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 0.5 ppm (TWA), 1 ppm (STEL); OSHA PEL: 25 ppm (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation and general ventilation to prevent vapor buildup, especially in confined spaces. Eye wash and emergency safety shower stations should be accessible.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), splash goggles, face shield, lab coat or apron, closed footwear. Use approved respirator if exposure risks exceed safe levels.
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Ammonia-like, strong odor
Odor Threshold: 0.48 ppm
pH: Alkaline
Melting Point: -114°C
Boiling Point: 89°C
Flash Point: -18°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Fast
Flammability: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
Upper/Lower Explosion Limits: 2–8% (v/v, in air)
Vapor Pressure: 57 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density (air=1): 3.1
Relative Density: 0.726 (water = 1)
Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, ether
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 1.44
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 215°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not available
Viscosity: Not available
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions in closed containers.
Possible Hazardous Reactions: Reacts violently with acids, oxidizing agents; produces heat and toxic gases.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, static discharge, incompatibles, moisture.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, oxidizing agents, halogens, chlorinated compounds.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, potentially combustible gases under fire conditions.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 730 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): 580 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat): 7.4 mg/L (4h)
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe irritation; may cause burns.
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation and possible irreversible damage.
Respiratory Sensitization: Can cause coughing, dizziness, headache, and breathing difficulty if exposed to high concentrations.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may damage liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA, or ACGIH.
Mutagenicity: Not found to be mutagenic.
Reproductive Toxicity: Not found to cause reproductive harm.
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): 40 mg/L; EC50 (Daphnia, 48h): 17 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly degrades in environment; half-life in water: less than 20 days under aerobic conditions.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, log Kow 1.44
Mobility in Soil: High; easily leaches and moves through soil and surface waters
Other Adverse Effects: Toxic to aquatic organisms, even at low concentrations.
Precautions: Prevent release to environment.
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations. Incinerate at approved facilities. Do not pour down drains or into the environment.
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse and dispose of as hazardous waste. Containers should be punctured and rendered unusable.
Special Precautions: Consult local hazardous waste authority and follow recommended procedures.
UN Number: 1296
Proper Shipping Name: Triethylamine
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquids)
Packing Group: I
Labels Required: Flammable liquid, toxic
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Transport Precautions: Secure containers, avoid sources of heat and ignition, segregate from incompatible materials during transit
OSHA: Listed as hazardous; strict protocols for handling and communication required.
TSCA: Registered and listed for industrial use
SARA Title III Sections 302, 304, 313: Subject to reporting requirements; notify facility and environment managers
State Regulations: Listed under state hazardous substance lists, including California Proposition 65 (no listing for cancer or reproductive harm).
WHMIS (Canada): Class B2 (Flammable Liquids), Class D2B (Toxic Material)
REACH (EU): Registered substance, subject to restrictions
Other Classifications: IMDG, IATA compliance for air/sea transport
