N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine N,N-Diethyl-3-methylaniline · CAS 91-67-8

What is N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine?

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine, formally N,N-diethyl-3-methylaniline, is a tertiary aromatic amine: a benzene ring carrying a methyl group and a diethylamino group, formula C₁₁H₁₇N. At room temperature it is a colourless to pale yellow liquid.

Its main commercial role is as a redox accelerator for peroxide-cured resins. Paired with an organic peroxide initiator such as MEKP or benzoyl peroxide, the tertiary amine promotes room-temperature cure of unsaturated polyester and acrylic/methacrylate resin systems, without needing external heat. That makes it a working ingredient in gelcoats, SMC/BMC composite moulding, bone cement and structural adhesives.

Outside resin curing, the same reactive amine nitrogen and electron-rich aromatic ring make it a useful building block in dye, pigment, pharmaceutical and agrochemical synthesis, where a tertiary m-toluidine fragment is required.

It is handled as a combustible liquid with a moderate flash point; standard precautions for flammable/combustible amines apply, and it should be kept away from strong oxidisers and peroxides it is not intended to react with.

Why N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine specifically

• A proven peroxide-cure accelerator. Works alongside MEKP, benzoyl peroxide and related initiators to drive room-temperature cure in polyester and acrylic resin systems.
• Predictable gel and cure behaviour. Dosing it precisely against the peroxide system gives repeatable gel time and exotherm, which matters in gelcoat and composite moulding.
• A versatile amine building block. The same molecule is used independently of resin curing as an intermediate in dyes, pigments and specialty organic synthesis.
• Supplied with the documentation resin formulators need. Assay, colour and moisture are what determine consistent accelerator performance batch to batch.

How N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine is Manufactured

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine is produced by N-alkylation of m-toluidine (3-methylaniline), so supply ultimately tracks toluidine and ethylating-agent availability rather than a generic solvent-amine stream.

• N-ethylation of m-toluidine. m-Toluidine is exhaustively N-alkylated with an ethylating agent (such as ethanol/ethylating agent under catalysis, or ethyl halide/sulfate chemistry) to convert the primary amine to the tertiary N,N-diethyl derivative.
• Reaction control. Conditions are controlled to drive the reaction through to the tertiary amine and minimise the mono-ethyl (N-ethyl-m-toluidine) intermediate carrying through.
• Purification. The crude amine is washed, dried and distilled to remove unreacted toluidine, the mono-ethyl intermediate and colour bodies.
• Quality release. Assay, colour (APHA/Hazen or similar) and moisture are confirmed against specification before the batch is released.
• Finishing and packing. The finished liquid is packed under standard flammable/combustible-liquid handling conditions, typically under a light inert blanket to protect colour in transit.

Typical Commercial Specification

Figures below are representative of commercial-grade N,N-diethyl-m-toluidine. Tell us the resin system and dosing rate you run, and we will advise on the specification to order against.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Behaviour in the process

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine's reactivity pattern is what resin formulators and chemists are buying:

• Redox accelerator activity. The tertiary amine reduces organic peroxides to generate free radicals at ambient temperature, initiating cure without external heat.
• Dose-dependent gel time. Gel time and peak exotherm scale with accelerator dosing against the peroxide system, which is how formulators tune open time and cure speed.
• Tertiary amine reactivity. With no N-H, it does not react the way primary or secondary amines do in curing epoxies; its role here is specifically as a redox catalyst.
• Combustible liquid. A flash point around 101 °C puts it outside the most severe flammable-liquid categories, but standard ignition-source control still applies in storage and handling.

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine and Related Toluidine Derivatives

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine sits in a family of m-toluidine derivatives, and the right one depends on whether your process needs a tertiary amine accelerator, a secondary amine intermediate, or the parent primary amine.

Stated plainly: if your process is a peroxide-cured resin system calling for a tertiary amine redox accelerator, this is the molecule; if it needs a reactive secondary N-H for further synthesis, N-Ethyl-m-toluidine is the closer fit.

Industries We Supply N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine To

The same accelerator amine feeds a composites moulder, a gelcoat formulator and a dye-intermediate producer. What changes is the dosing and the documentation each requires.

Where N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine is Used

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine is bought mainly as a resin-cure accelerator, with a secondary role as a synthesis building block. These are the downstream uses our customers run it in.

In resin and composite curing

The tertiary amine reduces the organic peroxide to generate the free radicals that initiate cure, letting polyester and acrylic resins set at room temperature. Dosing rate controls gel time and exotherm, and colour and assay consistency are what keep that cure profile repeatable batch to batch.

In dye, pharma and agrochemical synthesis

Outside resin curing, the same tertiary aromatic amine contributes its reactive nitrogen and electron-rich ring to synthesis routes in dyes, pigments and fine chemicals, where a diethylamino-toluene fragment is called for.

Quality Control & Testing

Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with colour and moisture reported alongside assay because both affect accelerator performance in a resin system.

• N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine content — by gas chromatography, the primary grade measure.
• Colour (APHA/Hazen) — reported because colour drift can carry through into appearance-sensitive gelcoat and casting work.
• Moisture content — measured because water can interfere with some resin cure systems.
• Refractive index and density — fast purity and identity checks.

Common Process Problems & Likely Causes

When this accelerator causes trouble, it is usually a dosing, moisture or colour-drift question. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.

Packaging, Storage & Shipping

• Standard packing. HDPE or lined steel drums, typically 25 – 200 kg net, with larger bulk formats on contract supply.
• Moisture exclusion. Keep sealed and dry; moisture pickup can affect colour and downstream cure performance.
• Temperature control. Store at room temperature, away from direct sun and heat sources; flash point is about 101 °C.
• Material compatibility. Avoid contact with strong oxidisers and with peroxides outside the intended cure chemistry.
• Shelf life. Stable in sealed, dry containers under normal storage conditions; colour can drift slowly on prolonged exposure to light and air.
• Transport classification. Flash point (~101 °C) places it outside the most severe flammable-liquid categories under most frameworks; confirm the exact classification, UN number (if any) and packing group for your specific grade and shipping lane with your freight forwarder.

Hazards & Safe Handling

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine is handled as a combustible liquid and as an aromatic amine that can be absorbed through the skin. Standard precautions and good laboratory and plant practice apply, and the full hazard statements for your grade are on the SDS.

• Flammability. Flash point around 101 °C; keep away from open flames and ignition sources during bulk handling and heated processing.
• Skin and eye contact. Chemical-resistant gloves and goggles are standard practice; rinse thoroughly with water on contact and remove contaminated clothing.
• Inhalation. Use adequate ventilation when dosing or handling in open systems.
• PPE. Chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles as a baseline for routine handling.
• Environment. Avoid uncontrolled release to water; follow local effluent and waste-disposal rules.

Regulatory & Compliance Notes

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine is a registered specialty amine intermediate. Because obligations differ by territory and use, the notes below are orientation rather than legal advice — confirm your own position with your regulatory adviser.

• GHS classification. The SDS carries the full hazard statements and classification for your grade.
• REACH and chemical inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on major chemical inventories.
• Dangerous goods transport. Flash point (~101 °C) typically places this material outside the most severe transport flammability categories; confirm the applicable UN number (if any), class and packing group with your freight forwarder for your mode and lane.
• HS code. Commonly declared under the aromatic amine derivatives heading (2921.43); confirm the exact tariff line with your customs broker for your jurisdiction.
• Quality agreements. Resin and pharma customers commonly expect documented assay, colour limits and change control. Tell us what your agreement requires.

We Supply N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine Worldwide

Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation and freight so the material arrives ready to use.

• Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
• Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged as routing allows.
• Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA and SDS issued as a complete set.
• Flexible volumes. From drum trial quantities up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
• Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.

Buying N,N-Diethyl-m-toluidine from Chelora

We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For this product that means settling three things at enquiry: the assay/colour grade your process needs, the packing format, and the quantity you are buying.

• Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA with assay, colour and moisture, plus the current SDS.
• Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can bench-test cure performance.
• Quantities. Drum trial quantities through to larger bulk shipments on contract supply.
• Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
• Related amine intermediates. N-Ethyl-m-toluidine and other toluidine derivatives alongside this product from one supplier.

How ordering works

• Send the enquiry. Assay/colour grade, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
• We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
• Qualify the supply. For first orders or appearance-sensitive applications, we share the analysis so your technical team can bench-test cure before you commit.
• Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
• Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
• Ship and document. Packed, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.

Related Toluidine & Aromatic Amine Intermediates

Buyers of N,N-diethyl-m-toluidine often source other toluidine and aniline derivatives alongside it. Consolidating them cuts freight cost and gives you a single point of contact for documentation.