What is N,N-Diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA)?

N,N-Diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) is a colorless, water-soluble organic liquid that functions primarily as a medium-strength reducing agent. Its most distinctive feature is its role as a superior oxygen scavenger for boiler water and a highly effective shortstop (terminating agent) in rubber production.

Core Properties

Physical Form: A colorless to light-yellow transparent liquid with an amine-like odor. It is miscible with water and soluble in ethanol, ether, and benzene .

Chemical Nature: It is a medium-strength organic reducing agent. It can reduce quinones and other oxidizing species without affecting halogen, acetoxy, or azo groups, offering good chemoselectivity .

Key Data: Molecular weight is 89.14, CAS No. is 3710-84-7, boiling point is around 133 °C .

Main Applications

Boiler Water Treatment (Oxygen Scavenger): This is a major industrial use. DEHA removes dissolved oxygen from boiler feedwater, preventing corrosion. It is reported to be more effective than hydrazine and carbohydrazide, and can also act as a passivating agent for metal surfaces .

Polymerization Control: In the production of synthetic rubbers (like SBR), DEHA is used as a shortstop to terminate the polymerization reaction at a precise point. It also serves as an efficient inhibitor or retarder to prevent premature or runaway polymerization of vinyl monomers like butadiene .

Stabilizer & Antioxidant: It is used to stabilize color in chemical products (such as diethyltoluenediamine) . It also acts as an antioxidant for unsaturated oils and resins, and as a stabilizer in photoresist and photographic emulsions .

Other Uses: It is also employed as a corrosion inhibitor for steam equipment and as a reagent for the determination of aldehydes .

Safety & Handling

Hazard Statements: DEHA is classified as a flammable liquid (H226). It is harmful if inhaled or in contact with skin (H312+H332), causes skin and eye irritation (H315/H319), and may cause damage to organs (H371) .

Environmental Note: It is not readily biodegradable and is classified as toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (H411) .

Storage: It should be stored in a cool, dark place under an inert gas to prevent discoloration .