Triethanolamine is a colorless, transparent and viscous liquid at room temperature, with a slight ammonia smell. It is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture and carbon dioxide in the air.
Information about the solubility and chemical reactions of triethanolamine:
Triethanolamine is miscible in water, ethanol and acetone, and slightly soluble in ether, benzene and carbon tetrachloride. Almost insoluble in non-polar solvents, soluble in benzene 4.2% (mass fraction), carbon tetrachloride 0.4% (mass fraction), and heptane (0.1%) or less at 25°C, highly hygroscopic , the color gradually becomes darker when the dew is placed in the air. Reacts with inorganic salts or organic acids to form esters. Can absorb acidic gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Pure triethanolamine has no effect on steel, iron and other materials, but is highly corrosive to copper, aluminum and their alloys. The difference between monoethanolamine and diethanolamine is that triethanolamine and hydrogen iodide can form hydrogen iodide precipitation. Combustible. Low toxicity.
Triethanolamine is less basic than ammonia (pKa7.82) and has the properties of tertiary amine and alcohol. It reacts with organic acids to form salts at low temperatures and esters at high temperatures. It can form chelates with 2 to 4 ligands with various metals. Amine oxides are formed during oxidation with hypochlorous acid. Oxidative decomposition with periodic acid into ammonia and formaldehyde. It reacts with sulfuric acid to form morpholino ethanol. Triethanolamine can absorb acid gas at low temperatures and release it at high temperatures.