Substance profile
2-aminoethanol
2-aminoethanol is colorless, viscous liquid or solid (below 51 °F) with an unpleasant, ammonia-like odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-aminoethanol is
2-aminoethanol is colorless, viscous liquid or solid (below 51 °F) with an unpleasant, ammonia-like odor. Its molecular formula is C2H7NO and its molecular weight is 61.08 g/mol. It boils at 170 °C, melts at 10.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for 2-aminoethanol
- ethanolamine
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P312, P330, P331, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
2-aminoethanol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 170.3 °C (338.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 170.56 °C (339 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 170 °C (338 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 10.56 °C (51 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 10.28 °C (50.5 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.02 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.018 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.016 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, glycerol; soluble in chloroform; slightly soluble in ether, ligroin | HSDB | |
| In water, 1X10+6 mg/L at 25 °C (miscible) | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.4 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.4 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.404 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 86 °C (186.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 85 °C (185 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 85.56 °C (186 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 410 °C (770 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 5.5 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 23.5 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| 17 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Vapor density | 2.1 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | 50% detection: 3-4 ppm; detection: 7.5-10 mg/m3 | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 2.6 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 397.85 °C (748.1 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on 2-aminoethanol
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Solubility
Miscible with methanol, acetone, glycerin; solubility at 25 °C: in benzene: 1.4%, in ether: 2.1%, in carbon tetrachloride: 0.2%, in n-heptane: less than 0.1%. Immiscible with ether, solvent hexane, fixed oils, although it dissolves many essential oils
Source: HSDB
Odor
Water odor threshold: 20000 mg/L at pKa of 9.5. Air odor threshold: 2.6 ppm. Odor Safety Class: C. C= Odor safety factor from 1-26. Less than 50% of distracted persons perceive warning of TLV.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 2-aminoethanol
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Hygroscopic. Handle and store under inert gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong acids and oxidizing agents, iron, copper, brass, rubber.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHANOLAMINE is a base. Reacts with organic acids (acetic acid, acrylic acid), inorganic acids (hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, chlorosulfonic acid), acetic anhydride, acrolein, acrylonitrile, cellulose, epichlorohydrin, mesityl oxide, beta-propiolactone, vinyl acetate. Emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1498].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-aminoethanol in the storage compatibility matrix →