Blog - Aure Chemical
How Triethylamine Is Produced: Methods, Manufacturers, and Purity Grades
Triethylamine (TEA), with the chemical formula C₆H₁₅N and CAS number 121-44-8, is a colorless, volatile liquid with a strong fishy odor, boiling at 89.5 °C and a density of 0.726 g/cm³. As a tertiary amine, it's prized for its role as an organic base and catalyst in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and chemical synthesis—think of it as the "neutralizer" in a heated debate, calming acids without getting involved itself. This blog post dives into how TEA is produced, spotlighting key methods, global manufacturers, and available purity grades, helping chemists and suppliers understand its industrial backbone.
Overview of Triethylamine Production
Triethylamine is industrially synthesized as a tertiary amine from ethanol and ammonia derivatives, often in large-scale vapor-phase reactions. The process resembles baking a cake where basic ingredients (ammonia and ethanol) are mixed under heat and pressure to create a complex product, with byproducts separated like sifting flour from lumps. Global production focuses on efficiency, with modern methods emphasizing catalysts to boost yields and reduce energy use.
Main Production Methods
Ethanol + Ammonia Method (via Ethylene Intermediate)
This dominant route involves reacting ethylene (from ethanol cracking) with ammonia over catalysts like alumina or zeolites at high temperatures (200-400 °C) and pressure. The reaction produces a mixture:
C₂H₄ + NH₃ → C₂H₅NH₂, (C₂H₅)₂NH, (C₂H₅)₃N
It's like a family reunion where ammonia "adopts" ethyl groups step-by-step. Fractional distillation—similar to separating oil from water in a salad dressing—isolates TEA with yields around 20-30%. Catalysts enhance selectivity, reducing waste.
Acetaldehyde + Ammonia Method (older route)
An older process uses acetaldehyde reductive amination with ammonia over heterogeneous catalysts, forming TEA but with more byproducts. Less efficient—like an outdated recipe that wastes ingredients—it's largely phased out for the ethylene method.
Green / Modern Routes
Emerging methods include bio-ethanol feedstocks and improved catalysts for lower energy use, like gas-phase hydrogenation of acetonitrile. These "green" approaches are like switching to electric cars—more sustainable, reducing emissions and relying on renewable sources.
Key Global Manufacturers
Asia-Pacific
China: BASF-YPC (joint venture, capacity ~50,000 tons/year), Zhejiang Xinhua, Shandong Lianmeng Chemical—focusing on industrial exports.
India: Balaji Amines, Alkyl Amines Chemicals Ltd. (combined capacity >20,000 tons, pharmaceutical grade emphasis).
Japan/Korea: Tosoh, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (high-purity for electronics).
Asia dominates with rapid growth, like a bustling marketplace supplying global demand.
Europe
BASF SE (Germany, large-scale, integrated with amine production).
INEOS (UK/Switzerland, focus on sustainability).
Arkema (France, specialty grades).
European producers emphasize eco-friendly processes, like chefs using organic ingredients.
North America
Eastman Chemical (USA, capacity ~30,000 tons, diverse applications).
Dow Chemical (USA, integrated with petrochemicals).
North American firms prioritize high-purity for pharma, acting as reliable anchors in supply chains.
Purity Grades and Specifications
| Grade | Purity (%) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Grade | ≥99.0 | Catalysts, paints, resins |
| Pharmaceutical Grade | ≥99.5 | Drug synthesis intermediates |
| Electronic Grade | ≥99.9 | Semiconductor, precision cleaning |
Specifications include water ≤0.3%, color ≤15 APHA, and density 0.725-0.730 g/cm³. Packaging: steel drums (200 kg) or ISO tanks for bulk—like shipping bottled water in crates.
Quality Control and Analysis
Testing uses GC for purity (like a precise scale measuring ingredients), Karl Fischer for water, colorimetry for APHA index, and gravimetry for density. Compliance with REACH and GHS ensures safety, with COA and MSDS provided—like a recipe's nutritional label.
Market Trends and Outlook
The global TEA market is valued at USD 420-480 million in 2025, growing at 4-6% CAGR to USD 1.05 billion by 2033, driven by pharma and coatings demand. Sustainability trends focus on bio-based production and waste reduction, amid price fluctuations (e.g., 5.29% drop in US Q1 2025).
Triethylamine is efficiently produced via amine alkylation, with key suppliers like BASF and Dow ensuring global availability across purity grades. As demand grows in chemical manufacturing, sustainable methods will shape its future. Contact us for high-purity TEA supply or technical data sheets.