Triethylamine is the chemical compound with the formula N(CH2CH3)3, commonly abbreviated Et3N. It is also abbreviated TEA, yet this abbreviation must be used carefully to avoid confusion with triethanolamine or tetraethylammonium, for which TEA is also a common abbreviation. It is a colourless volatile liquid with a strong fishy odor reminiscent of ammonia and is also the smell of the hawthorn plant. Like diisopropylethylamine (Hünig’s base), triethylamine is commonly encountered in organic synthesis.
Formula
C6H15N
Molecular Weight
101.19
Exact Mass
101.12
LogP
1.3481
PSA
3.24
Synonyms
N,N-diethylethanamine
Ethanamine, N,N-diethyl-
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Properties
Appearance & Physical State
colorless liquid
Density
0.728
Boiling Point
90ºC
Melting Point
-115ºC
Flash Point
-11ºC
Refractive Index
1.399-1.401
Water Solubility
133 g/L (20 ºC)
Stability
Stable. Extremely flammable. Readily forms explosive mixtures with air. Note low flash point. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, ketones, aldehydes, halogenated hydrocarbons.
