Ethylamine Ethylamine is an organic compound with the formula CH3CH2NH2. This colourless gas has a strong ammonia-like odor. It is miscible with virtually all solvents. It is a nucleophilic base, as is typical for amines. Ethylamine is widely used in chemical industry and organic synthesis.
Formula: C2H5NH2 Boiling point: 16.6 °C Molar mass: 45.08 g/mol Density: 689 kg/m³
Synthesis:-
Ethylamine is produced on a large scale by two processes. Most commonly ethanol and ammonia are combined in the presence of an oxide catalyst:
CH3CH2OH + NH3 → CH3CH2NH2 + H2O In this reaction, ethylamine is coproduced together with diethylamine and triethylamine. In aggregate, approximately 80M kilograms/year of these three amines are produced industrially. It is also produced by reductive amination of acetaldehyde.
CH3CHO + NH3 + H2 → CH3CH2NH2 + H2O Ethylamine can be prepared by several other routes, but these are not economical. Ethylene and ammonia combine to give ethylamine in the presence of a sodium amide or related basic catalysts.
H2C=CH2 + NH3 → CH3CH2NH2 Hydrogenation of acetonitrile, acetamide, and nitroethane affords ethylamine. These reactions can be effected stoichiometrically using lithium aluminium hydride. In another route, ethylamine can be synthesized via nucleophilic substitution of a haloethane (such as chloroethane or bromoethane) with ammonia, utilizing a strong base such as potassium hydroxide. This method affords significant amounts of byproducts, including diethylamine and triethylamine.
CH3CH2Cl + NH3 + KOH → CH3CH2NH2 + KCl + H2O Ethylamine is also produced naturally in the cosmos; it is a component of interstellar gases
Uses:-
It can be used in the synthesis of alkyl isocyanates to be used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
AGRO CHEMICALS It is used as a raw material in the synthesis of herbicides like Atrazine, Simazine and Cyanazine.
PLASTICS Ethylamine has the application in the production of Polyurethane foam, as a catalyst.
DYESTUFF It acts the role of an intermediate/a catalyst in the production of Ethylcyanopyrolidone disperse and in the manufacture of rhodamine dyes.
TEXTILES It is used in leather-tanning, also as a synthetic reagent in the manufacture of Dimethylolethyltriazone condensate used for Wash and Wear agent for cotton fabrics.
RUBBER INDUSTRY It can be applied as a vulcanization accelerator for sulfur cured rubbers.
Other uses:
- Synthesis of 1,3-diethylthiourea, a corrosion inhibitor, - Catalyst for curing epoxy resins, - Solvent for dyes, resins and oils, - Used in emulsifying agents, - Deflocculating agent in ceramics industry, - Manufacture of detergents, rayon, rocket propellant, - Fuel additive.