Dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) Supplier in Malaysia
- Also known as
- DMEA
- N,N-Dimethylethanolamine
- Dimethylaminoethanol
- 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol
Dimethylethanolamine supplier for coatings, polyurethane, water treatment and synthesis buyers in Malaysia. Sold as DMEA and also written N,N-dimethylethanolamine, dimethylaminoethanol or deanol (CAS 108-01-0, C4H11NO), it is a clear colourless liquid with a strong fishy amine odour.
Its main industrial job is neutralising water-reducible alkyd, acrylic and polyester resins: it salts the resin acid groups so the system thins with water, then leaves as the film cures. Paint makers use the same base strength to hold waterborne and electrocoat baths at working pH. Low-colour material is specified for white, pastel and clear finishes.
Beyond coatings it serves as a tertiary amine catalyst in flexible and rigid polyurethane foam, a neutralising amine for boiler condensate lines, and a feedstock for choline chloride, quaternary ammonium compounds and anion-exchange resins. Commercial supply is normally a 99% minimum technical cut in drums, IBCs or bulk.
This is a tertiary amino alcohol, not one of the ethanolamines, and the DMEA abbreviation is applied to dimethylethylamine in some catalogues, so confirm the full name. Send the required grade, assay and colour limits, quantity and delivery location with your enquiry. Availability, packing and documentation are confirmed with the quotation.
- CAS number
- 108-01-0
- Formula
- C4H11NO
- Grade
- technical 99%, low-colour
- Appearance
- clear colourless liquid with a characteristic fishy amine odour
Dimethylethanolamine grades and forms
We supply several forms to suit different formulating and dosing setups. If you need a size that is not listed, ask us.
| Grade | Form | Assay | Typical use | Packing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimethylethanolamine technical 99% | clear colourless liquid | typically 99% minimum | Neutralising amine for water-reducible alkyd, acrylic and polyester resins, and catalyst component in flexible and rigid polyurethane foam systems. | Drum, IBC or bulk tank requirement is confirmed with the quotation. |
| Low-colour dimethylethanolamine | clear colourless liquid | — | White and pastel waterborne paint, electrocoat bath and clear-lacquer work where the amine must not contribute colour to the cured film. | Drum, IBC or bulk tank requirement is confirmed with the quotation. |
| Dimethylethanolamine for synthesis | clear colourless liquid | — | Feedstock for choline chloride, quaternary ammonium compounds, anion-exchange resin functionalisation and other derivative chemistry. | Drum, IBC or bulk tank requirement is confirmed with the quotation. |
How to buy dimethylethanolamine from ChemTrade
Request a quote for dimethylethanolamine
Use the form below to request a quotation. You can also email sales@chemtrademalaysia.com or send us a message on WhatsApp.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | clear colourless liquid, free of visible matter | — |
| CAS number | 108-01-0 | — |
| Molecular formula | C4H11NO | — |
| Molecular weight | approximately 89 g/mol | — |
| Boiling point | approximately 134 °C | — |
| Odour | characteristic fishy amine odour, noticeable at low concentrations in air | — |
| Solubility | miscible with water and with alcohols, ketones and most polar organic solvents | — |
| Chemical character | tertiary amino alcohol: the nitrogen carries two methyl groups and a hydroxyethyl group, giving a strong base that cannot be acylated at nitrogen | — |
| Common grade checks | assay, water content, colour and amine value as required by the grade and the formulation it enters | — |
Dimethylethanolamine applications
Safety and handling
Store in closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated place away from acids and oxidising agents, and keep the vapour space managed because the amine odour is strong at low concentrations. The undiluted liquid attacks skin and eyes, so use gloves, eye protection and ventilation, and follow the safety information for the grade quoted. Supply is subject to applicable requirements.
Common questions about dimethylethanolamine
Is dimethylethanolamine the same as monoethanolamine or triethanolamine?
No. The ethanolamines carry hydroxyethyl groups on nitrogen, while this molecule carries two methyl groups plus one hydroxyethyl group, making it a tertiary amine with different basicity, volatility and reactivity. Order the amine your specification names by name rather than substituting across the group.
What does DMEA stand for, and is DMAE the same material?
DMEA is the trade abbreviation for dimethylethanolamine, also written N,N-dimethylethanolamine or dimethylaminoethanol. DMAE and deanol name the same chemical but are used in personal-care and consumer contexts; this page covers the industrial material for coatings, foam, water treatment and synthesis. Some catalogues also apply DMEA to dimethylethylamine, so state the full name.
Why is dimethylethanolamine used to neutralise waterborne coatings?
Salting the acid groups on an alkyd, acrylic or polyester resin lets it thin with water, and this amine does that while remaining volatile enough to leave during cure instead of staying in the film. Its base strength also holds an electrocoat or water-based paint bath near its intended pH through a production run.
How is it dosed as a polyurethane foam catalyst?
It works as a tertiary amine blow catalyst, usually as part of an amine package rather than alone, and the loading is set by the system house against the cream, gel and rise profile the line needs. Trial work against your polyol and index is the only reliable way to fix the level.
Which dimethylethanolamine grade should be requested?
A 99% technical cut covers most resin neutralisation, foam catalysis and condensate duty. Low-colour material is requested for white, pastel and clear finishes where any amine contribution to film colour would show. State assay, colour and water limits with the enquiry.
What handling points matter for dimethylethanolamine?
Keep drums closed and the area ventilated, because the fishy amine odour is noticeable at very low concentrations and complaints usually precede any other issue. Keep it away from acids, wear gloves and eye protection, and refer to the safety information for the grade quoted.
What is needed for a dimethylethanolamine price enquiry?
Send the grade or assay, colour and water requirements, the application, the quantity and the delivery location. Note preferred pack format and any documentation you need so the quotation answers the whole requirement.