3-Diethylamino-1,2-propanediol stands as a chemical compound known for its role in a variety of industrial and research applications. The molecule contains a diethylamino group and two hydroxyl groups arranged on a propanediol backbone. Its IUPAC name points to the structure: a propanediol where the first carbon contains a diethylamino substitution. The importance of understanding chemicals at this granular level comes from my own experience in lab safety and quality control—knowing the specifics of a substance can either keep a day running smoothly or cause a halt due to surprise reactivity or toxicity. The formula for this compound is C7H17NO2. Its presence can be seen in pharmaceutical syntheses, fine chemicals manufacturing, and sometimes in the development of intermediates used in specialty additives.
This compound has a molecular weight of 147.22 g/mol. The structure is made of two primary alcohol groups, giving it the flexibility to form hydrogen bonds. The diethylamino group, on the other hand, brings basicity and some lipophilic character to the molecule. I have worked with similar substances that behave differently depending on their immediate environment; it is not just about the functional groups, but also about the three-dimensional orientation and the solvent they hang out with. When stored at room temperature, 3-Diethylamino-1,2-propanediol appears as a colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid, but under certain conditions, users might encounter it as a solid or crystalline mass, especially below its melting point. Bulk packaging often comes labeled as “liquid” or “powder,” depending on transport and end-user requirements.
3-Diethylamino-1,2-propanediol generally possesses a density of about 1.02 g/cm³ at 20°C. Its melting point sits close to 40°C, with a boiling point that often measures between 190°C and 210°C at atmospheric pressure. The pH in a 10% aqueous solution typically trends alkaline, generally falling between 10 and 12 due to the tertiary amine group. On the shelf, it keeps well in tightly sealed containers. In the years I've collaborated with purchasing and compliance teams, precise data regarding solubility has made all the difference; this substance dissolves well in water and most polar organic solvents, so it's flexible in that sense. HS Code classification often falls within 2922.19 for customs reporting, grouping it among other amino-alcohols.
At the point of shipment or laboratory use, you might encounter 3-Diethylamino-1,2-propanediol sold as a thick liquid, but larger shipments can cool and solidify into flakes or lump-like pearls, depending on handling and ambient storage temperatures. Free-flowing powder forms are less common and may be processed for particular applications where dosing and mixing precision matters. Growing up around factories and later working in them, I learned quickly how handling a liquid versus a solid impacts risk and required protective gear. Whether as a crystal, in solution, or mass-packed pearls, each form responds differently to pressure, humidity, and temperature changes, so safe storage and clear labeling serve as the first line of defense against mishaps.
3-Diethylamino-1,2-propanediol qualifies as a hazardous material by most regional chemical safety standards. Direct exposure irritates eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract. Vapors and aerosols in processing environments invite headaches or mucous membrane discomfort, which reminds me of training sessions I’ve led on emergency protocol after an employee handled an amine with bare hands. Proper chemical goggles, nitrile gloves, and splash-resistant lab coats keep the risk low. In terms of chemical stability, this compound behaves well under typical lab and production conditions but reacts briskly with oxidizing agents or acid chlorides. Pure material can be an acute hazard for aquatic environments as well, even in small quantities.
This molecule occupies a strategic place as a building block (raw material) for manufacturing. Pharmaceutical operations use it to generate intermediates for drugs that require an amine-alcohol side chain. In specialty chemicals, it gets incorporated to modify the solubility or reactivity of larger molecules. Experience interned at facilities where trace amounts had to be controlled to avoid cross-contamination—a reminder that a molecule’s role as a raw material never excuses overlooking its specific reactivities or incompatibilities. The propanediol backbone gives it some non-volatility, helpful in continuous batch processes where temperature changes happen fast, and the diethylamino group steers outcomes in organic synthesis.
Looking at the molecule as a whole, the spatial arrangement allows both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interaction, so it can function as a solvent modifier or as a reactant with a flexible profile. Its formula, C7H17NO2, means handlers can easily calculate molarity, batch adjustment, or theoretical yield in reaction planning. With a density near that of water and an alkaline pH in solution, operators need to monitor for potential material incompatibility and reactant drift during production. Depending on customer demand—be it liquid, flake, crystal, or powder—the packaging specification usually lists purity at 98% and above, water content under 1%, and sometimes a UV-Vis assay for identity. Over years of troubleshooting formulation errors and managing quality deviations, I’ve learned that the devil is often in lingering trace impurities, so certifications and batch reports become as important as the chemical itself in successful operations.
Providing high-quality chemical products and logistics solutions for global trade partners.
