Chemical Properties
white to off-white crystals
Uses
Ethylamine Hydrochloride a chemical used in various chemical organic syntheses and biological studies. It is used in production of resins and rubber latex; also used in oil refining and organic syntheses.
Preparation
Ethylamine can be synthesized by ethanol and ammonia are combined in the presence of an oxide catalyst:
CH3CH2OH + NH3 → CH3CH2NH2 + H2O
Ethylamine could then be solvent extracted or boiled out of hoffman turned to Hydrochloride with HCl and then freebased with caustic to be distilled pure.
of course an excess of caustic when freebasing would be a good idea as it would hold onto most of the water created from the basing of a hydrochloride with caustic.
Application
Ethylaminehydrochloride is used as a raw material for organic synthesis. Its free base ethylamine is used in the diethyldiazene, dimethylolethyltriazone, ethylcyanopyrolidone disperse and 1,3-diethylthiourea. It is a precursor used for the preparation of benzilnitrate, detergents, rayon, rocket propellant and alkyl isocyanates, which finds application in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
Purification Methods
Crystallise the hydrochloride from absolute EtOH or MeOH/CHCl3, wash with dry ether and dry it in a vacuum. [Beilstein 4 IV 310.]
Precautions
Hygroscopic. Keep the container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
