Monoethanolamine is an organic compound containing both an alcohol and an amine group. Its chemical formula is H2NCH2CH2OH. It is a viscous liquid with an ammonia odor. Soluble in water and some organic solvents. It can react with some chemicals to form salts, esters and amides.

The chemical and physical properties of monoethanolamine are as follows:

• Its molecular weight is 61.08 g/mol.
• Boiling point is 170 °C.
• Melting point is 10.5 °C.
• Its density is 1.02 g/mL.
• Solubility is high in water and alcohol, ether and acetone, low in benzene, carbon tetrachloride and heptane.

Monoethanolamine has many uses. Most commonly, it is used as an intermediate chemical in the production of surfactants. Surfactants are substances that enhance the interaction between oil and water and form foam. Monoethanolamine acts as an organic solvent in detergents, cleaning products, paint and pulp industry. It is also used as a gas trap. It reduces carbon dioxide emissions very efficiently. It is used in the production of various chemicals in rubber, plastics, textiles, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Some common products containing monoethanolamine are:

• Detergents Monoethanolamine is used as a foaming agent and cleaner in detergents. It also helps to adjust the pH of the detergent and prevent limescale.
• Cleaning products: Monoethanolamine is used as a degreaser and scale inhibitor in cleaning products. It also helps to improve the structure and texture of cleaning products.
• Paint Monoethanolamine is used as an organic solvent in paint. It also helps to adjust the pH of the paint and to disperse the pigments.
• Paper pulp Monoethanolamine is added to wood pulps during the cooking of lignin pulp in paper pulp. This improves the quality of the paper.
• Gas trap Monoethanolamine is used in the gas holder to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This reduces the greenhouse effect.
• Cosmetics: Monoethanolamine is used as an emulsifier and moisturizer in cosmetics. It also helps to solubilize other ingredients in cosmetics.

Monoethanolamine is also used in textile processing, biodiesel production and complexometric titrations. Monoethanolamine is a versatile chemical compound and is used for different purposes in many industries.