Products
Triethanolamine is found as an excipient in pharmaceuticals such as emulsions, creams and gels, and personal care products, among others. It is also known as trolamine in the pharmaceutical industry. It should not be confused with trometamol.
Structure and properties
Triethanolamine (C6H15NO3, Mr = 149.2 g/mol) is present as a clear, viscous, colorless to pale yellow, highly hygroscopic liquid with an odor of fish and is miscible with water. It is a tertiary amine with three hydroxyl groups.
Effects
Triethanolamine is basic. Emulsifying substances form with fatty acids, for example mono-, di-, and tri-esters (analogous to glycerol) or salts.
Fields of application
- As a pharmaceutical excipient, for example, for the production of emulsions and emulsifiers.
- As an acidity regulator (base).
- To soften a plug of earwax.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include allergic reactions.
