Ethylamine

Description

Ethylamine is a colorless gas or water-whiteliquid (below 17℃) with a strong, ammonia-like odor.Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Molecularweight = 45.10; Specific gravity (H2O:1) = 0.69 (liquid);Boiling point = 16.7℃; Freezing/Melting point = - 81℃;Vapor pressure = 847 mmHg at 20℃; Flash point≤ - 18℃; Autoignition temperature = 385℃. Explosivelimits: LEL = 3.5%; UEL = 14.0%. Hazard Identification(based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 3,Flammability 4, Reactivity 0. Soluble in water

Chemical properties

Ethylamine is a colorless gas or water-white liquid (below 17℃). Strong, ammonia-like odor. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.

Chemical properties

Ethylamine is a very strong base and its complete solubility in water makes it ideal as an intermediate in many chemical syntheses. As with other primary amines, its chemical reactivity is dictated by the unshared pair of electrons on the nitrogen and its most characteristic reaction is with acids to form salts.

Chemical properties

Colorless to yellow gas; ammonia fishy aroma.

Physical properties

Colorless liquid or gas with a strong ammonia-like odor. An experimentally determined odor threshold concentration of 21 ppb_v was reported by Leonardos et al. (1969). Experimentally determined detection and recognition odor threshold concentrations were 500 μg/m³ (270 ppb_v) and 1.5 mg/m³ (810 ppb_v), respectively (Hellman and Small, 1974).

The Uses of Ethylamine

Ethylamine is used in the manufacture ofdyes and resins, as a stabilizer for rubberlatex, and in organic synthesis.

The Uses of Ethylamine

Dye intermediate, solvent extraction, petroleum refining, stabilizer for rubber latex, detergents, organic synthesis.

The Uses of Ethylamine

In resin chemistry; stabilizer for rubber latex; intermediate for dyestuffs, pharmaceuticals; in oil refining

Definition

ChEBI: A two-carbon primary aliphatic amine.

Production Methods

The methods employed for the production of ethylamine are similar to those used for the methylamines. Differences involve the alcohol used and its ratio to other reactants. The most common method involves continuously passing ammonia and ethanol over a catalyst in a gas-solid heterogenous reaction. The temperature is maintained at 300-500°C at 790-3550 kPa and the catalyst can be alumina, silica, titania, or tungstic oxides. As this procedure produces a mixture of water, alcohol, ammonia, and various amines, the amines of interest are continuously separated by distillations and extractions. The amine can be produced from ethyl chloride and alcoholic ammonia under heat and pressure or by hydrogenation of nitroethane (HSDB 1989). Alternatively ammonia, ethanol and hydrogen over a dehydrogenation catalyst are passed continuously over a catalyst (supported metallic silver, nickel, or copper) in a gas-solid heterogenous reaction. The reaction is run at 130-250°C at 790-3550 kPa and also produces a mixture of amines. Ethylamine can also be produced using a similar procedure which employs ammonia and an aldehyde or ketone and hydrogen over a hydrogenation catalyst under the same conditions. However, this method is more expensive and is therefore not commonly used, except in special cases (Schweizer et al 1978).
Ethylamine also is a normal constituent of biological systems and is present in the urine of animals and man (Beard and Noe 1981). The amine occurs widely in the environment as a decomposition product of amino acids. It is formed, therefore, in sewage during the decomposition of plant and animal wastes and is also found in a variety of foods such as cheese, herring, spinach and freeze-dried coffee (HSDB 1989; Lin et al 1983,1984). It is also a constituent of tobacco smoke and has been detected in various surface waters at concentrations ranging between 1 and 37 p.p.m. Ethylamine also has been found in finished drinking water (Neurath et al 1977; Scheiman et al 1974). As with other alkylamines, ethylamine can be nitrosated to form the toxic product, 7V-nitrosoethylamine (Hussain et al 1974).

Definition

ethylamine: A colourless flammablevolatile liquid, C₂H₅NH₂; r.d. 0.69;m.p. –81°C; b.p. 16.6°C. It is a primaryamine made by reactingchloroethane with ammonia andused in making dyes.

Aroma threshold values

Very high strength odor; ammoniacal type; recommend smelling in a 0.01% solution or less

General Description

A colorless liquid or a gas (boiling point 62°F) with an odor of ammonia. Flash point less than 0°F. Density of liquid 5.7 lb / gal. Corrosive to the skin and eyes. Vapors are heavier than air. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Exposure of the closed container to intense heat may cause Ethylamine to rupture violently and rocket.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Sensitive to heat. Reacts vigorously with oxidizing agents. Incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Incompatible with cellulose nitrate. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides. Also incompatible with oxidizing agents. A chemical base. Neutralizes acids to form salts plus water in an exothermic reaction Dissolves most paints, plastics and rubber .

Hazard

Strong irritant. Flammable, dangerous fire risk, flammable limits in air 3.5–14%.

Health Hazard

Ethylamine is a severe irritant to the eyes,skin, and respiratory system. The pure liquidor its highly concentrated solution can causecorneal damage upon contact with eyes. Skincontact can result in necrotic skin burns.
Rabbits exposed to 100 ppm ethylaminefor 7 h/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks mani fested irritation of cornea and lung, and liverand kidney damage (ACGIH 1986). A 4-hourexposure to 3000 ppm was lethal to rats. Theacute oral and dermal toxicity of this com pound was moderate in test animals.
LD50 value, oral (rats): 400 mg/kg
LD50 value, skin (rabbits): 390 mg/kg.

Chemical Reactivity

Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: Will strip and dissolve paint; dissolves most plastic materials; can cause swelling of rubber by absorption. The reactions are not hazardous; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Flush with water; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

Industrial uses

Ethylamine has achieved widespread use as an intermediate in the manufacture of a variety of products. It is used as a solvent for dyes, resins, and oils and as a vulcanization accelerator for sulfur-cured rubbers as well as a stabilizer for rubber latex (NIOSH 1981; HSDB 1989). The amine is used in the production of alkyl isocyanates for intermediates in the manufacture of products such as pharmaceuticals and resins. It also serves as an intermediate in the manufacture of triazine herbicides, a corrosion inhibitor (1,3-diethyl thiourea), and an agent used in wash and wear fabrics (dimethylolethyltriazone). Copious salts of ethylamine can also be used in the refining of petroleum and vegetable oil (Sittig 1981). The amine also has uses as an industrial solvent and as a chemical initiator in the preparation of various solvents (HSDB 1989).

Safety Profile

A poison by ingestion, skin contact, and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by inhalation. A severe eye irritant. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Moderate explosion hazard when exposed to spark or flame. Keep away from heat and open flame, can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, stop flow of gas, use alcohol foam, dry chemical. Incompatible with cellulose nitrate or oxidzers. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also MINES.

Potential Exposure

Monoethylamine (MEA) is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of the following chemicals: triazine herbicides, 1,3-diethylthiourea (a corrosion inhibitor); ethylamino-ethanol; 4-ethylmorpholine (urethane foam catalyst); ethyl isocyanate; and dimethylolethyltriazone (agent used in wash-and-wear fabrics). The cuprous chloride salts of MEA are used in the refining of petroleum and vegetable oil.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seekmedical attention immediately. If this chemical contactsthe skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove fromexposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing hasstopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transferpromptly to a medical facility. When this chemical hasbeen swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit

Environmental Fate

Photolytic. The rate constant for the reaction of ethylamine and ozone in the atmosphere is 2.76 x 10^-20 cm³/molecule?sec at 296 K (Atkinson and Carter, 1984). Atkinson (1985) reported a rate constant of 6.54 x 10^-11 cm³/molecule?sec for the vapor-phase reaction of ethylamine and OH radicals at 25.5 °C. The half-life for this reaction is 8.6 h.
Low et al. (1991) reported that the photooxidation of aqueous primary amine solutions by UV light in the presence of titanium dioxide resulted in the formation of ammonium and nitrate ions.
Chemical/Physical. Reacts with OH radicals possibly forming acetaldehyde or acetamide (Atkinson et al., 1978). When ethylamine over kaolin is heated to 600 °C, hydrogen and acetonitrile formed as the major products. Trace amounts of ethylene, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and methane were also produced. At 900 °C, however, acetonitrile was not produced (Hurd and Carnahan, 1930).
Reacts with mineral acids forming water-soluble salts (Morrison and Boyd, 1971).

Metabolism

Ethylamine is readily absorbed from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. When administered to humans as the HC1 form, about 32% of the ethylamine could be recovered in the urine (Rechenberger 1984). It appears that ethylamine is slowly oxidized by monoamine oxidase to form hydrogen peroxide and the corresponding aldehyde. Subsequently, the peroxide is removed by catalase and the aldehyde is likely converted to its carboxylic acid by aldehyde oxidase (Beard andNoe 1981).
As with other alkylamines, a potential exists for in vivo nitrosation of ethylamine from foods by the preservative sodium nitrite under the acidic conditions found in the stomach (Lin et al 1983,1984).

storage

Ethylamine should be stored in a flammable-liquids storage room or cabinet. It shouldbe stored away from oxidizing materials andsources of ignition. It is shipped in steelcylinders or drums.

Shipping

UN1036, Ethylamine, Hazard Class: 2.1; Labels: 2.1-Flammable gas. Ethylamine, aqueous solution with not ,50% but not .70% ethylamine, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid, 8-Corrosive material. Cylinders must be transported in a secure upright position, in a wellventilated truck. Protect cylinder and labels from physical damage. The owner of the compressed gas cylinder is the only entity allowed by federal law (49CFR) to transport and refill them. It is a violation of transportation regulations to refill compressed gas cylinders without the express written permission of the owner.

Purification Methods

Condense it in an all-glass apparatus cooled by circulating ice-water, and store it with KOH pellets below 0o. [Beilstein 4 IV 307.]

Toxicity evaluation

The effects of ethylamine appear due primarily to its corrosive action at all points of contact with the body.

Incompatibilities

The aqueous solution is a strong base. May form explosive mixture with air. Reacts violently with strong acids; strong oxidizers; cellulose nitrate; and organic compounds; causing fire and explosion hazard. Also incompatible with organic anhydrides; isocyanates, vinyl acetate; acrylates, substituted allyls; alkylene oxides; epichlorohydrin, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, glycols, phenols, cresols, caprolactum solution. Attacksnonferrous metals: aluminum, copper, lead, tin, zinc, and alloys; some plastics, rubber, and coatings.

Waste Disposal

Return refillable compressed gas cylinders to supplier. Controlled incineration; incinerator equipped with a scrubber or thermal unit to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions