Urgent need for conserving water in laboratories

Water is of vital commodity for sustenance of life on the planet. Nature has evolved very systematic approach towards water conversation through evaporation from water bodies, cloud formation, rains and eventual return to water bodies through flowing rivers and streams. It is a delicate balance of nature which gets disturbed by human activities.

Water is an important resource in industrial sectors and in domestic use. It is not possible to imagine life without the availability of water or when stringent regulations are laid down on its consumption. Such situations are avoidable provided each one of us understands the importance of conservation of this essential resource.

In addition to industries and households water finds extensive use in offices and laboratories. In comparison to offices the consumption is much higher in laboratories due to requirements virtually in all operations and processes. The article discusses areas of water consumption in laboratories and also offers some suggestions on conserving the valuable resource.

Preparation of solutions, buffers and mobile phases

Water finds more than one application in laboratories and therefore several grades of water are needed for laboratory use. Selection of the appropriate purity grade depends on the sensitivity requirements of the analysis. At time of preparation of solutions, buffers or mobile phases you should use prepare adequate quantities that are just sufficient for the required analysis. Excess amounts generally get drained away or need to be discarded after their expiry period.

Labware washing

Keeping in mind water conservation without sacrificing quality of results can save sufficient amounts of water. Instead of washing directly with high purity water use tap water for initial cleaning and rinsing. It is a good practice to first soak the dirty used labware in a tub filled with tap water to which some detergent is added for some time and then cleaning under a running stream of tap water. After the initial cleaning stage use higher purity grade water for rinsing. This will help save several litters of purified water each day.
For initial rinsing with tap water use low flow and it is advised to make use of aerated faucets on laboratory taps. This also helps increase pressure at low flow rates. When using laboratory glassware washing machines try to operate under full load whenever possible.

Cooling water for laboratory equipments

Water is extensively used for laboratory equipment cooling and in particular in distillation condensers. It is rather painful to see treated tap water running down the drain in single- pass cooling arrangements. Whenever possible make use of closed- loop portable chillers. It is not necessary to invest large sums in sophisticated chillers. Improvised devices comprising of water tubs and domestic water pumps work equally well in routine applications. Cooling efficiency can be further improved if waste ice cubes used in other applications are added to the cooling water tub instead of discarding them in wash basins

Use purified water judiciously

You should bear in mind that production of a litter of RO water requires a minimum of 3 to 5 litres of tap water. As discussed earlier make use of purified water judiciously and save on quantities of raw water required for the purification process.

Autoclaves

Autoclaves are used for the purpose of sterilization in microbiological laboratories. Supply of water to autoclave can be controlled by making use of a miser and this way water consumption can be reduced to at least half. Make it a practice to run the autoclave on full load and remember to turn it off when it is not in use.

Vacuum pump filtration

Make use of water faucet aspirators for carrying out vacuum filtrations leads to a lot of water being wasted in the drain. Instead make use of oil- free membrane vacuum pumps.

In addition to the measures suggested you should keep an eye for leaking pipelines and dripping taps. Plumbing repairs in time can save hundreds of liters of water annually. It is further suggested that just like safety posters a laboratory should also have posters on water conservation measures on walls and in particular near water points. Saving on water wastage will be a step towards conservation of this valuable resource and it will also contribute to substantial reduction in cost of laboratory operations.

Essential considerations in moisture determination by Karl Fischer titration

Presence of moisture plays a vital role in deciding characteristic properties and stability of pharmaceutical and food products. Merits and demerits of water determination methods have been covered earlier. Karl Fischer is the preferred method adopted by most laboratories due to its high specificity and selectivity towards water present even in traces levels in a product.

The results of Karl Fischer titration are highly reliable and at same time the analysis does not require large investments. However, required precautions should be taken in handling of samples as well as the Karl Fischer reagent.

Essential Considerations

Reaction Cell

The reaction cell and electrodes should be cleaned properly to remove traces of earlier samples and residual moisture. After rinsing with high purity grade solvent the cell should be dried in hot air oven to ensure removal of any residual moisture. The sample port should be opened only briefly for sample introduction and the jacket on lid should be packed with silica gel to prevent moisture from atmosphere interfering with the estimations.

Sample Homogeneity

The sample must be stored in water resistant packs or sealed vials to minimize contamination during storage and transportation. It is essential to homogenize it to a fine powder if it is in granular or crystalline state. The measured samples should be introduced into the cell with minimum exposure.

Residual Water

It is necessary to determine the water factor in the blank methanol solvent every time. This factor depends on the amount of water present in the pure methanol solvent taken in the reaction vessel and depends on volume of Karl Fischer reagent required to neutralize it.

Use of Buffers

Karl Fischer titrations are best carried out in neutral solutions, commonly between pH 5-5 to 8.0. Moisture content in acidic and basic samples should be determined after buffering the solvent in reaction vessel before sample introduction. Commonly imidazole is used for acidic samples and salicylic acid is used for bases.

Calibration

Calibration is commonly carried out using disodium tartrate dihydrate as a primary standard. The standard contains 15.66% water. It dissolves in methanol slowly (2-3 minutes) so it should be allowed to dissolve completely after introduction and starting the titration.

Safe use of Karl Fischer Reagent

Karl Fischer reagent contains potentially hazardous and corrosive constituents. Care should be exercised to prevent contact with eyes or skin. It can prove fatal if accidentally swallowed. It can also catch fire easily as it is flammable. It is advised that you should familiarize yourself with its MSDS before handling Karl Fischer reagent so that you are aware of its hazardous properties.

Understanding the Classification of Laboratory Reagents

Laboratory Reagents

Most of us working in laboratories use different chemicals but lack required clarity on their grades. Validated Methods specify the grade of reagents to be used. It is important to use specified grades otherwise errors can arise due to contamination from reagents themselves. On the other hand you can incur additional cost in analysis if you use a superior grade of reagent when your analysis does not have such high purity requirements.

Laboratory reagents are classified on the basis of purity and intended use.

Classification based on purity

Technical grade – suitable for non-critical tasks such as rinsing, dissolving, etc

Synthesis grade – for organic synthesis and preparative tasks

Lab grade – covers most solvents used in common laboratory applications

A R grade – used for high precision work. Trace impurities are restricted to lowest possible limits for high precision. Such reagents used mainly for analytical applications, research and quality control . If such reagent meets the ACS specifications it will be denoted as AR (ACS)

ACS grade – ACS stands for American Chemical Society. Such grades are useful for high quality work

General reagent (GR) – reagent that meets or exceed AR grade specifications

Extra pure grade – suitable for laboratory accreditations and also work requiring compliance with pharmacopoeial standard requirements
Classification based on applications

Electronic grade – these have very stringent limits for metallic impurities as required for use in electronic component industry as such as below ppt or ppb levels

HPLC grade – solvents meet strict UV absorbance specifications and are filtered for removal of sub-micron suspended solids. Omnisolv HPLC grade products meeting ACS requirements suitable for use in HPLC applications

Spectroscopy grade – includes solvents of high purity, low residue on boiling and having absorption blank in wavelength region of interest.HPLC/spectroscopy grade for common use in HPLC and spectroscopic applications. Spectroscopy grade salts alkali metal salts having transparency in IR region such as KBr, NaCl, CsI,etc

Acids

Suprapur (E – Merck) – high purity grade acids having metallic impurities in ppb range

Environmental grade (Anachemia) – high purity acids refined through sub- boiling distillation

Environmental grade plus (Anachemia) – produced by additional distillation of environmental grade acids

Pesticide residue analysis applications

HR Omni grade solvents (EMD) – have GC impurities below ppt/ppb levels as tested by ECD detection

Nano grade – meet ACS grade specifications used for extraction and pre-concentration applications

Residue grade solvents – solvents suitable for pesticide residue analysis

Choice of the right grade of reagent is essential for the application in hand and it is also important to use reagents from same source for high precision of results

How to Manage Your Time and Improve Productivity in the Laboratory?

Time Management

Time is a precious non-renewable resource. Management of time is key to your efficiency at workplace and brings with it several benefits.

• Feeling of achievement on completion of tasks in allotted time
• Recognition of your work efficiency by your management
• Spare time for other activities

Your capacity for planning and timely execution of tasks in hand will make you stand out in your organization. Priorities do change at times but if you have trained yourself in time management you will still be able to complete all your tasks within the assigned time.

Useful guidelines for improvement of your laboratory productivity:

• It is a good practice to start your day in the laboratory by spending 10 to 15 min on analysis planning
• Update records of all received samples so that no sample is missed out.
• Samples requiring same parameter testing should be grouped together before analysis. This will leave valuable time in sample dissolutions, preparation of common mobile phase, etc
• Always adopt FIFO – first in first out approach unless changes in schedules are approved by higher management
• Adopt only validated methods for testing
• Ensure availability of calibrated instrument and volumetric glassware in advance
• Understand matrix composition of sample and also know the required levels of detection. Your selected technique should be capable of analysis in the desired concentration range
• Analytical balance, pH meter and all other related instruments or accessories should be calibrated
• Maintain required environmental conditions to prevent errors due to cross contamination which may require repetition of results
• For chromatographic analysis required gases, mobile phases, conditioned columns, working standards and buffers should be made available in advance
• For trace metal studies ensure availability of required hollow cathode lamps or electrode less discharge lamps before starting the analysis
• Make a practice of making direct entries of readings and calculations  in the laboratory notebook. Making entries on filter paper, rough notebooks, diaries, scrap paper is not permissible under good documentation practices and there are high chances of such data being misplaced
• Maintain a stock of essential spares and consumables
• Ensure that you have been provided relevant training on the required technique.

I would highly recommend reading the book –’ Getting things done” by David Allen. It will help you not only organize your day to day tasks but will also help you make a plan for the weeks, months and even years ahead so that all your actions are in the line with your long-term goals .

Some points I have learnt from the book are

• Get in the  habit of  noting down all your tasks in your diary and not on loose sheets. Update these entries daily.
• Don’t put anything that is less than 2 min task on your list – just do it right now
• Don’t try to do everything yourself – if you can delegate it to someone then delegate and note down for future follow-up
• Spend some time to make a long-term plan for your life and make sure everything you do in the short and medium term is in line with your long-term goals.

If you are able to adopt only a fraction of the concepts given in this book it will go a long way to improve your productivity.

What is the Importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)?

Basis of all SOP’s

All organizations irrespective of their functional areas strive to give their best in terms of quality of products and services. This is essential to maintain a competitive edge and keep their clients satisfied.

Each organization has its quality manual which defines its quality policies. The quality manual specifies standard operating procedures (SOP’s) which are a set of documents which define practices which need to be followed in word and spirit by all employees strictly and without deviation. It is only through adherence to SOP’s that an organization sustains its quality of product and services and sustains its business growth.

Industrial establishments, laboratories, commercial business organizations and government agencies have their own set of standard operating procedures which are based on organizational requirements but all have one common goal which is to give best possible service to clients in terms of quality and, time commitments on deliveries. Let us examine some of the key areas covered by different Standard Operating Procedures in different groups of organizations

Manufacturing industries

• Qualification of vendors for procurement of raw materials
• Handling, storage and issue of raw materials to production departments
• Maintenance schedules for manufacturing equipments and laboratory instruments
• Safety of manufacturing operations
• Pretreatment of industrial effluents and waste before disposal
• Policies on withdrawal of supplies of defective items or products

Laboratories

• Safety of Laboratory operations
• Analytical method validation
• Analyst validation
• Maintenance schedules and calibration of different test instruments and weighing balances
• Laboratory environment control, i.e. temperature and humidity
• Qualification of working standards
• Calibration of glassware
• Handling of customer complaints
• Receipt and distribution of samples for testing

Commercial establishments (Banks/Service Centers/Travel business)

• Quality of services
• Time allocation for different activities including maximum response time to customers
• Processing time for applications and appeals
• Handling of disputes and client complaints

Standard Operating Procedures help establish a benchmark for quality of products and services. In case of multinational organizations and multi location establishments SOP’s ensure uniformity of products and services throughout the locations. This is essential requirement for sustaining customer confidence both within the country and at the global scale as well

Awareness of SOP’s of your organization or at least your division is absolutely necessary as the overall output of your division and organization depends on the role played by each and every individual.

The objective of writing this article is to make you realize your responsibilities and contributions towards your organisation and this is possible only if you are aware of your organization’s activities, quality policies, ethics through a sound understanding of your organization’s Standard Operating Procedures.

Observing Microorganism (A)

 Microscopy

Microbiology deals with the study of microorganisms that cannot be seen distinctly with the unaided eye. Considering the nature of the objects to be studied, the microscope becomes an instrument of paramount importance. Modern microscopes produce images with great clarity, magnifications that range from ten to thousands of times.

Compound Light Microscopy

This is the most basic microscope used for studying microorganisms. It consists of a series of lenses that utilizes visible light as its source of illumination. Various small specimens can be studied to fine details with a compound light microscope.

Labeled Diagram of a Compound Microscope

Components of a Compound Microscope

The major components of a compound microscope are :

Framework: The basic frame structure is made up of metal, which includes the arm and base to which whole of the magnification and optical components are attached. The metallic arm is connected to a U shaped strong and heavy base that provides stability to the instrument.

Stage: this is the flat horizontal platform positioned at about halfway through the length of the microscope with a hole at the centre that allows the passage of light for illumination of the sample.

Focus knobs: Two pairs of knobs are attached to the arm that help in up and down movement of the stage and in adjustment and focusing of specimens of different thickness.

Lens Systems: All microscopes employ a set of different types of lens systems: the oculars, the objectives, and the condenser, that have different focusing power, and contribute to the complete magnification system.

Nose piece: A revolving nosepiece which holds the objectives is attached to the curved upper part of the arm of the microscope. The nosepiece can be rotated to position the objective with the required magnification in path of the magnification system, beneath the body assembly and the eye piece.

Eyepiece (ocular lens): The eyepiece or ocular lens is a set of lenses held in a cylindrical tube kept inserted in a tubular structure on the curved upper part of the arm, above the nose piece. It consists of two or more lenses which focus the image into the eye. The newest microscopes consist of a pair of eye pieces that allows the observer to use both the eyes to observe the specimen in the microscope. Such microscopes are called binocular microscopes. The normally used eye pieces have 2X, 50X and 10X magnifications.

Objective: The objectives are usually small cylindrical objects containing a single or a set of lenses attached to the nosepiece. The nosepiece holds three to five objectives, which contain lenses of varying magnifying power (2X-400 X). The total arrangement of the lenswhich means that the sample stays in focus even when the lenses are changed from one to es is parfocal, another in a microscope.

Condenser: A condenser is also a lens which is fixed below the stage and it focuses the beam of light coming from the light source onto the slide. The condenser is usually aided with diaphragm and/or filters, to control and manage the quality and intensity of the light passing through the sample.

Light Source: The light source is mounted at the base of the microscope. The source of light may be the day light, a halogen light, or even LEDs and lasers, as used in the latest microscopes. The microscopes have some provision for reducing light intensity with a neutral density filter.

Types of Compound Microscopes

1. The Bright-Field Microscope
2. Dark Field Microscope
3. Phase-Contrast Microscope
4. The Differential Interference Contrast Microscope
5. The Fluorescence Microscope
6. Confocal Microscope
7. Two-Photon Microscope

All these types of microscopes yield a distinctive image and may be used to observe different aspects of microbial morphology.

Points to Remember:

• Microorganisms are too minute in size to be seen by unaided eyes, hence are observed and studied using microscopes.
• Compound microscopes are commonly used in research labs and institutes to study microorganisms. They use glass lenses to bend and focuses light rays and produce enlarged images of small objects.
• Microscopes are delicate and very expensive instruments in any academic or research institutes. Even the most basic compound microsopes require a lot of investment. They, hence, need critical care in usage and handling

Local Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada Dated :Apr 01, 2018

Local Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada    Dated :Apr 01, 2018

Past 24 Hours Weather Data Maximum Temp(oC) (Recorded on 31/03/18) 33.9 Departure from Normal(oC) -1 Minimum Temp (oC) (Recorded. on 01/04/18) 25.2 Departure from Normal(oC) 0 24 Hours Rainfall (mm) (Recorded from 0830 hrs IST of yesterday to 0830 hrs IST of today) NIL Relative Humidity at 0830 hrs (%) 84 Relative Humidity at 1730 hrs (%) (Recorded on 31/03/18) 65 Todays Sunset (IST) 18:14 Tommorows Sunrise (IST) 05:55 Moonset (IST) 06:32 Moonrise (IST) 19:08

7 Day's Forecast Date Min Temp Max Temp Weather 01-Apr 25.0 34.0 Thunderstorm with squall 02-Apr 25.0 34.0 Thunderstorm with squall 03-Apr 25.0 35.0 Thunderstorm 04-Apr 26.0 35.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of development of thunder lightning 05-Apr 26.0 36.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of development of thunder lightning 06-Apr 26.0 36.0 Partly cloudy sky 07-Apr 26.0 36.0 Partly cloudy sky

यादगार लम्हा.. Friendly Cricket Match between Research Guides and PhD scholars at Lucknow University Ground.

यादगार लम्हा..
Friendly Cricket Match between Research Guides and PhD scholars at Lucknow University Ground.
THANKS TO Dr. Afroj Bhai  , I MADE 56 RUNS.

Density, Specific Weight and Specific Gravity

Density is defined as mass per unit volume. Mass is a property and the SI unit for density is [kg/m³].

Density can be expressed as

ρ = m / V   = 1 / ν                                              [1]

where
ρ = density [kg/m³], [slugs/ft³]
m = mass [kg], [slugs]
V = volume [m³], [ft³]
ν = specific volume [m³/kg], [ft³/slug]

• What is weight and what is mass? - the difference between weight and mass

The Imperial (U.S.) units for density are slugs/ft³ but pound-mass per cubic foot - lb_m/ft³ - is often used. Note that there is a difference between pound-force (lb_f) and pound-mass (lb_m). Slugs can be multiplied with 32.2 for a rough value in pound-mass (lb_m).

• 1 slug = 32.174 lb_m = 14.594 kg 
• 1 kg = 2.2046 lb_m = 6.8521x10^-2 slugs
• density of water: 1000 kg/m³, 1.938 slugs/ft³

On atomic level - particles are packed tighter inside a substance with higher density. Density is a physical property - constant at a given temperature and pressure - and may be helpful for identification of substances.

Below on this page: Specific gravity (relative density), Specific gravity for gases, Specific weight, Calculation examples

Coefficient - variation with temperature and pressure, SI and Imperial units
            Example 1: Density of a Golf ball 

Example 2: Using Density to Identify a Material
Example 3: Density to Calculate Volume Mass

Specific Gravity (Relative Density) - SG - is a dimensionless unit defined as the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water - at a specified temperature and can be expressed as

SG = ρ_substance / ρ_H2O                                           [2]

where
SG = Specific Gravity of the substance
ρ_substance = density of the fluid or substance [kg/m³]
ρ_H2O = density of water - normally at temperature 4 ^oC [kg/m³]

It is common to use the density of water at 4 ^oC (39^oF) as a reference since water at this point has its highest density of 1000 kg/m³ or 1.940 slugs/ft³.

Since Specific Gravity - SG -  is dimensionless, it has the same value in the SI system and the imperial English system (BG). SG of a fluid has the same numerical value as its density expressed in g/mL or Mg/m³. Water is normally also used as reference when calculating the specific gravity for solids.

Example 4: Specific Gravity of Iron

Specific Gravity for some common Materials

Substance	Specific Gravity - SG -
Acetylene	0.0017
Air, dry	0.0013
Alcohol	0.82
Aluminum	2.72
Brass	8.48
Cadmium	8.57
Chromium	7.03
Copper	8.79
Carbon dioxide	0.00198
Carbon monoxide	0.00126
Cast iron	7.20
Hydrogen	0.00009
Lead	11.35
Mercury	13.59
Nickel	8.73
Nitrogen	0.00125
Nylon	1.12
Oxygen	0.00143
Paraffin	0.80
Petrol	0.72
PVC	1.36
Rubber	0.96
Steel	7.82
Tin	7.28
Zinc	7.12
Water (4oC)	1.00
Water, sea	1.027

Specific Gravity of gases is normally calculated with reference to air - and defined as the ratio of the density of the gas to the density of the air - at a specified temperature and pressure.

The Specific Gravity can be calculated as

SG = ρ_gas / ρ_air                          [3]

where
SG = specific gravity of gas
ρ_gas = density of gas [kg/m³]
ρ_air = density of air (normally at NTP - 1.204 [kg/m³])

• NTP - Normal Temperature and Pressure - defined as 20^oC (293.15 K, 68^oF) and 1 atm ( 101.325 kN/m2, 101.325 kPa, 14.7 psia, 0 psig, 30 in Hg, 760 torr)

Molecular weights can be used to calculate Specific Gravity if the densities of the gas and the air are evaluated at the same pressure and temperature.

Specific Weight is defined as weight per unit volume. Weight is a force.  The SI unit for specific weight is [N/m³]. The imperial unit is [lb/ft³].

Specific Weight (or force per unit volume) can be expressed as

γ = ρ a_g                                  [4]

where
γ = specific weight (N/m³], [lb/ft³]
ρ = density [kg/m³], [slugs/ft³]
a_g = acceleration of gravity (9.807 [m/s²], 32.174 [ft/s²] under normal conditions) 

• What is weight and what is mass? - the difference between weight and mass

Example 5: Specific Weight of Water

Specific Weight for Some common Materials

Product	Specific Weight - γ -
	Imperial Units (lb/ft3)	SI Units (kN/m3)
Aluminum	172	27
Brass	540	84.5
Carbon tetrachloride	99.4	15.6
Copper	570	89
Ethyl Alcohol	49.3	7.74
Gasoline	42.5	6.67
Glycerin	78.6	12.4
Kerosene	50	7.9
Mercury	847	133.7
SAE 20 Motor Oil	57	8.95
Seawater	63.9	10.03
Stainless Steel	499 - 512	78 - 80
Water	62.4	9.81
Wrought Iron	474 - 499	74 - 78

• Material Properties

Back to top

Examples

Example 1: Density of a Golf ball

A golf ball has a diameter of 42 mm and a mass of 45 g. The volume of the golf ball can be calculated as

V = (4/3) π (42 [mm] * 0.001 [m/mm]/2)³   =  3.8 10^-5 [m³]

The density of the golf ball can then be calculated as

ρ = 45 [g] * 0.001 [kg/g] / 3.8 10^-5 [m³]  = 1184 [kg/m³]

Example 2: Using Density to Identify a Material

An unknown liquid substance has a mass of 18.5 g and occupies a volume of 23.4 ml (milliliter).

The density of the substance can be calculated as

ρ = (18.5 [g] /1000 [g/kg]) / (23.4 [ml] /(1000 [ml/l] * 1000[l/m³]))

    = 18.5 10^-3 [kg] /23.4 10^-6 [m³]  = 790 [kg/m³]

If we look up the densities of some common liquids we find that ethyl alcohol - or ethanol - has a density of 789 kg/m³. The liquid may be ethyl alcohol!

Example 3: Density to Calculate Volume Mass

The density of titanium is 4507 kg/m³. The mass of 0.17 m³ volume titanium can be calculated as

m = 0.17 [m³] * 4507 [kg/m³]  = 766.2 [kg]

Note! - be aware that there is a difference between "bulk density" and actual "solid or material density". This may not be clear in the description of products. Always double check values with other sources before important calculations.

Example 4: Specific Gravity of Iron

The density of iron is 7850 kg/m³. The specific gravity of iron related to water with density 1000 kg/m³ is

SG(iron) = 7850 [kg/m³] / 1000 [kg/m³]  = 7.85

Example 5: Specific Weight of Water

The density of water is 1000 kg/m3 at 4 °C (39 °F).

The specific weight in SI units is

γ = 1000 [kg/m³] * 9.81 [m/s²] = 9810 [N/m³] = 9.81 [kN/m³]

The density of water is 1.940 slugs/ft3 at 39 °F (4 °C).

The specific weight in Imperial units is

γ = 1.940 [slugs/ft³] * 32.174 [ft/s²] = 62.4 [lb/ft³]

Diethanolamine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diethanolamine

Names
IUPAC name 2,2'-Iminodiethanol
Other names Bis(hydroxyethyl)amine N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine 2,2'-Dihydroxydiethylamine β,β'-Dihydroxydiethylamine Diolamine 2-[(2-Hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol 2,2'-Iminobisethanol Iminodiethanol Di(2-hydroxyethyl)amine bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)amine 2,2'-Iminodiethanol
Identifiers
CAS Number	111-42-2
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
3DMet	B01050
Beilstein Reference	605315
ChEBI	CHEBI:28123
ChEMBL	ChEMBL119604
ChemSpider	13835604
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.517
EC Number	203-868-0
KEGG	D02337
MeSH	diethanolamine
PubChem CID	8113
RTECS number	KL2975000
UNII	AZE05TDV2V
InChI[show]
SMILES[show]
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H11NO2
Molar mass	105.14 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colourless crystals
Odor	Ammonia odor
Density	1.097 g·mL−1
Melting point	28.00 °C; 82.40 °F; 301.15 K
Boiling point	271.1 °C; 519.9 °F; 544.2 K
Solubility in water	Miscible
log P	1.761
Vapor pressure	<1 Pa (at 20 °C)
UV-vis (λmax)	260 nm
Refractive index(nD)	1.477
Thermochemistry
Specific heat capacity (C)	137 J·K−1·mol−1
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	−496.4 – −491.2 kJ·mol−1
Std enthalpy of combustion(ΔcHo298)	−26.548 – −26.498 MJ·kmol−1
Hazards
Safety data sheet	sciencelab.com
GHS pictograms
GHS signal word	DANGER
GHS hazard statements	H302, H315, H318, H373
GHS precautionary statements	P280, P305+351+338
Flash point	138 °C (280 °F; 411 K)
Autoignition temperature	365 °C (689 °F; 638 K)
Explosive limits	1.6–9.8%[1]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	120 mg·kg−1 (intraperitoneal, rat) 710 mg·kg−1 (oral, rat) 778 mg·kg−1 (intravaneous, rat) 12.2 g·kg−1 (dermal, rabbit)
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL(Permissible)	None[1]
REL(Recommended)	TWA: 3 ppm (15 mg/m3)[1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)	N.D.[1]
Related compounds
Related alkanols	N-Methylethanolamine Dimethylethanolamine Diethylethanolamine N,N-Diisopropylaminoethanol Methyl diethanolamine Triethanolamine Bis-tris methane Meglumine
Related compounds	Diethylhydroxylamine
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
verify (what is  ?)
Infobox references

Diethanolamine, often abbreviated as DEA or DEOA, is an organic compound with the formula HN(CH₂CH₂OH)₂. Pure diethanolamine is a white solid at room temperature, but its tendency to absorb water and to supercool^[2] mean it is often encountered as a colorless, viscous liquid. Diethanolamine is polyfunctional, being a secondary amine and a diol. Like other organic amines, diethanolamine acts as a weak base. Reflecting the hydrophilic character of the secondary amine and hydroxyl groups, DEA is soluble in water. Amides prepared from DEA are often also hydrophilic. Recently, the chemical has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B)".

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1Production
• 2Uses
• 3Commonly used ingredients that may contain DEA
• 4Safety
• 5References
• 6External links

Production[edit]

The reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia first produces ethanolamine:

C₂H₄O + NH₃ → H₂NCH₂CH₂OH

which reacts with a second and third equivalent of ethylene oxide to give DEA and triethanolamine:

C₂H₄O + H₂NCH₂CH₂OH → HN(CH₂CH₂OH)₂

C₂H₄O + HN(CH₂CH₂OH)₂ → N(CH₂CH₂OH)₃

About 300M kg are produced annually in this way.^[3] The ratio of the products can be controlled by changing the stoichiometry of the reactants.^[4]

Uses[edit]

DEA is used as a surfactant and a corrosion inhibitor. It is used to remove hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from natural gas.

In oil refineries, a DEA in water solution is commonly used to remove hydrogen sulfide from sour gas. It has an advantage over a similar amine ethanolamine in that a higher concentration may be used for the same corrosion potential. This allows refiners to scrub hydrogen sulfide at a lower circulating amine rate with less overall energy usage.

DEA is a chemical feedstock used in the production of morpholine.^[3][4]

Amides derived from DEA and fatty acids, known as diethanolamides, are amphiphilic.

The reaction of 2-chloro-4,5-diphenyloxazole with DEA gave rise to Ditazole.

Commonly used ingredients that may contain DEA[edit]

DEA is used in the production of diethanolamides, which are common ingredients in cosmetics and shampoos added to confer a creamy texture and foaming action. Consequently, some cosmetics that include diethanolamides as ingredients may contain traces of DEA.^{[citation needed]} Some of the most commonly used diethanolamides include:

• Cocamide DEA
• DEA-Cetyl Phosphate
• DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate
• Lauramide DEA
• Myristamide DEA
• Oleamide DEA

Safety[edit]

DEA is a potential skin irritant in workers sensitized by exposure to water-based metalworking fluids.^[5] One study showed that DEA inhibits in baby mice the absorption of choline, which is necessary for brain development and maintenance;^[6] however, a study in humans determined that dermal treatment for 1 month with a commercially available skin lotion containing DEA resulted in DEA levels that were "far below those concentrations associated with perturbed brain development in the mouse".^[7] In a mouse study of chronic exposure to inhaled DEA at high concentrations (above 150 mg/m³), DEA was found to induce body and organ weight changes, clinical and histopathological changes, indicative of mild blood, liver, kidney and testicular systemic toxicity.^[8] A 2009 study found that DEA has potential acute, chronic and subchronic toxicity properties for aquatic species.^[9]

References[edit]

1. ^ Jump up to:^a b c d "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards #0208". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
2. Jump up^ "Akzo-Nobel data sheet" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-08-14.
3. ^ Jump up to:^a b Matthias Frauenkron, Johann-Peter M elder, Günther Ruider, Roland Rossbacher, Hartmut Höke “Ethanolamines and Propanolamines” in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002 by Wiley-VCH, Weinheim doi:10.1002/14356007.a10_001
4. ^ Jump up to:^a b Klaus Weissermel; Hans-Jürgen Arpe; Charlet R. Lindley; Stephen Hawkins (2003). "Chap. 7. Oxidation Products of Ethylene". Industrial Organic Chemistry. Wiley-VCH. pp. 159–161. ISBN 3-527-30578-5.
5. Jump up^ Lessmann H, Uter W, Schnuch A, Geier J (2009). "Skin sensitizing properties of the ethanolamines mono-, di-, and triethanolamine. Data analysis of a multicentre surveillance network (IVDK*) and review of the literature". Contact Dermatitis. 60 (5): 243–255. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01506.x. PMID 19397616.
6. Jump up^ Study Shows Ingredient Commonly Found In Shampoos May Inhibit Brain Development
7. Jump up^ Craciunescu, CN; Niculescu, MD; Guo, Z; Johnson, AR; Fischer, L; Zeisel, SH (2009). "Dose response effects of dermally applied diethanolamine on neurogenesis in fetal mouse hippocampus and potential exposure of humans". Toxicological Sciences. 107 (1): 220–6. doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfn227. PMC 2638646 . PMID 18948303.
8. Jump up^ Gamer AO, Rossbacher R, Kaufmann W, van Ravenzwaay B (2008). "The inhalation toxicity of di- and triethanolamine upon repeated exposure". Food Chem Toxicol. 46 (6): 2173–83. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2008.02.020. PMID 18420328.
9. Jump up^ Libralato G, Volpi Ghirardini A, Avezzù F (2009). "Seawater ecotoxicity of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine". J Hazard Mater. 176 (1–3): 535–9. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.11.062. PMID 20022426.

External links[edit]

• Chemical safety card for DEA
• CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies
• Products containing diethanolamine, from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• Brief technical specification of diethanolamine
• Brief technical specification of diethanolamine pure