Diethylaminoethyl Methacrylate, sometimes seen as DEAE-MA or by its CAS Number 105-16-8, is known as a specialty monomer within the methacrylate family. Recognizable by its clear to slightly yellow liquid appearance, this chemical carries the molecular formula C10H19NO2 and a specific molecular weight of approximately 185.26 g/mol. The presence of a methacrylate backbone allows it to participate in polymerization reactions with a variety of partners, creating copolymers and specialty resins with valuable chemical characteristics. The inclusion of the diethylaminoethyl group endows the compound with both hydrophilic and cationic properties, making it stand out from other monomers and opening doors to advanced material design, coatings, and specialty adhesives. Products containing this compound might be hard, flexible, water-soluble, or tough, depending on formulation and intended end-use.
Typical packaging for Diethylaminoethyl Methacrylate includes containers resistant to both acid and base attack due to the compound’s moderate corrosiveness and tendency to react under certain pH conditions. Looking at its density, the liquid usually falls around 0.90 to 0.94 g/mL at standard temperature — lighter than water but readily poured and mixed. While major supply chains focus on the liquid, researchers and some manufacturers convert it into solid, powder, or flake variants for specialties. In laboratory use, the compound can be stabilized in flake, crystal, or powder form, although the raw material’s base product comes out as a clear liquid. Schools and experts measure its refractive index near 1.450 and boiling point above 200°C, making it tie in with other industrial-grade methacrylates. The compound dissolves well in many organic solvents and will react with strong acids, producing salt forms that help with cationic polymer manufacture. Available in both small gram quantities and large industrial drums, this monomer addresses scaling issues for research and big manufacturing alike. Material needs can shift format — pearls, flakes, or solutions might be required depending on downstream synthesis or handling safety.
The diethylamino group placed on the ethyl side of the molecule brings basicity not seen with plain methyl methacrylate. The methacrylate group features an activated double bond, making it ready to form strong, crosslinked networks with radical initiators under UV light or heat in the presence of initiators. In solution, these chemicals adjust pH and promote polymerization activity, often acting as comonomers in both waterborne and solventborne systems. The amine group enhances interactions with acids and electrophilic reagents, making DEAE-MA an approachable building block for many functional polymers. Schools of chemistry and biomedical engineering find these molecules hard at work in advanced hydrogel synthesis, ion-exchange membranes, and as bridging units for specialty drug-delivery vehicles. This versatility reflects modern trends, such as personalized medicine and sustainable material science — showing demand not just for the raw material, but for how the molecule fits into new industrial and medical solutions. Demand for clear, controlled, high-purity raw materials has turned this from a bench curiosity into a common tool across industries.
Producers publish specifications, such as purity often at or above 98%, water content below 0.2%, acidity measured as methacrylic acid content lower than set limits (commonly less than 0.1%), and stabilized with an inhibitor like MEHQ at levels sufficient to prevent premature polymerization. The chemical’s HS Code lines up as 291614, covering “Acrylic acid and its salts and esters” — simplifying border, tax, and logistics handling in international trade. Import/export documentation sometimes asks for information on stabilizer content, composition percentages, and handling precautions, especially for customers dealing with pharmaceuticals or regulated products. Repurposing the chemical for sensitive applications like medical polymers or food packaging puts an even higher burden on documentation and trace contaminants. The international registry (including EC 203-282-1) aligns with trade and environmental safety efforts, especially in Europe and China, whose National Inventory Classifications shape supplier approaches worldwide.
Exposure to Diethylaminoethyl Methacrylate can cause skin and eye irritation, especially in concentrated form. Having handled raw methacrylates myself in a well-ventilated industrial lab, gloves and goggles remain a non-negotiable part of the process. Standard safety data sheets point out flammability concerns (flash points above 70°C), and spill remediation strategies need to keep runoff out of drains and water sources, since release into the environment may harm aquatic organisms. Volatile organics produced during polymerization need tight controls, with monitoring for both workplace safety and compliance with environmental regulations like REACH and TSCA. Wearing a proper lab coat prevents direct contact, but good practice means working with exhaust fans and eye wash stations on-site. Chemists need protocols for inert gas blanketing if storing volumes for extended times, since oxygen entry invites slow polymerization and possible pressure build-up. Repackaging or transfers for powder or crystal forms ramp up dust risks, making respiratory protection wise for anyone not sure about airborne concentrations. Disposal of waste material always relies on local regulatory guidance, though treating with dilute acid to neutralize free amines or incineration in controlled furnaces seems most common in industry.
The industry relies on Diethylaminoethyl Methacrylate in textile coatings, specialty adhesives, ink formulations, dispersants, and as a precursor for cationic polymers. In personal experience, using this chemical in water-soluble paint formulations means experimenting with ratios and stabilizers for both workability and safe storage. Efforts to minimize exposure — such as one-step mixing tanks, sealed lines, and improved ventilation — make a big difference on both safety and product consistency. Workers benefit from updated safety training, so even newcomers know the urgency of wearing PPE and recognizing early signs of irritation. For environmental impact, developing closed-loop recovery systems for vapors or optimizing process steps to reduce leftover raw material helps industry stay ahead of regulations. New research on biodegradable polymers and low-migration adhesives draws on the unique structure of DEAE-MA to meet rising consumer and legal expectations. Sharing best practices and better supplier relationships improve batch traceability and hazard communication, giving all downstream users a clear view of what enters their processes. Addressing these practical realities head-on gives both companies and their staff real leverage to manage harm and build better products.
