MORPHOLINE

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
CAS NO.

110-91-8

MORPHOLINE

EINECS NO. 203-815-1
FORMULA NH(CH2)2O(CH2)2
MOL WT. 87.12
H.S. CODE 2934.90

TOXICITY

 Oral rat LD50: 1450 mg/kg
SYNONYMS Tetrahydro-2H-1,4-oxazine; Diethylene oximide;
Tetrahydro-1,4-oxazine; Diethylenimide oxide; Tetrahydro-4H-1-4-oxazine; Diethylene imidoxide; 1-Oxa-4-azacyclohexane; Tetrahydro-p-isoxazine; Tetrahydro-p-oxazine;

SMILES

 Reductive ammonation of diethylene glycol and hydrogen
Dehydration of diethanolamine with a strong acid (oleum)
Heating bis(chloroethyl)ether with excess ammonia

CLASSIFICATION

 

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL STATE

colorless, hygroscopic liquid free of suspended matter

MELTING POINT -5 C
BOILING POINT

129 C

SPECIFIC GRAVITY 0.999
SOLUBILITY IN WATER

miscible

pH ca.11 ( 25% sol.)
VAPOR DENSITY 3
AUTOIGNITION 291 C
NFPA RATINGS Health: 3; Flammability: 3; Reactivity: 0
REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.4541
FLASH POINT

31 C

STABILITY Stable under ordinary conditions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION & APPLICATIONS
Morpholine is a hygroscopic, weak basic, oily and  volatile liquid; with a characteristic amine odor; melting point -5 C,  boiling point at 129 C; miscible with water and with many alcohol organic solvents such methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethers, BTX (it is used as a solvent itself), but has limited solubility in alkaline solutions. It decomposes on heating resulting toxic nitrogen oxides and violently reacts with strong oxidants resulting fire hazard and attacking copper and its compounds. It can be prepared by the reductive ammonation of diethylene glycol with hydrogen, by the dehydration of diethanolamine with a strong acid (oleum) and by heating bis(chloroethyl)ether with excess ammonia. It is a cyclic amino ether as well as a secondary amine. 1,4-Dioxane is the form which nitrogen atom is replaced by oxygen. The ether property of morpholine is typically inert. The secondary amine property involves in the most chemical reactions. Morpholine is a versatile chemical. It is used as a solvent itself for resins, dyes, and waxes. Its alkyl derivatives (e.g. N-methylmorpholine, N-ethylmorpholine) are used as a catalyst for the production of polyurethane foams. Nitrogen in ring system involves in the introduction of sterically demanding asymmetric center to achieve effective stereocontrol. Morpholine has a similar volatility with water. It is used as a pH adjustment additive in fossil fuel and steam systems as a corrosion inhibitor. The most important use is as a chemical intermediate to prepare below compounds:
  • Rubber chemicals for vulcanization and stabilization
  • Corrosion inhibitors in boiler water treatment system and in aqueous hydraulic liquids to protect metals against corrosion and tarnish by acid fumes.
  • Optical brighteners which are stable to chlorine bleaches for the use in detergent formulations
  • Fatty acid salts for the formulation of water-resistant emulsifier or plasticizer in toiletry and cosmetic products.
  • Sulfonamide bactericides or disinfectants
  • Quaternary morpholinium salts for hair conditioners and deodorant products
  • Colourants for hair dyes and blueprints
  • Pharmaceuticals (analgesics, local anaesthetics, antibiotics, antimycotics and for anti-plaques)
SALES SPECIFICATION

APPEARANCE

clear liquid free of suspended matter

ASSAY (G.C)

99.0% min

WATER

0.2% max

COLOR (APHA)

15 max

TRANSPORTATION
PACKING 195kgs in Drum
HAZARD CLASS 3 (Packing Group: III)
UN NO. 2054
OTHER INFORMATION
Hazard Symbols: F C, Risk Phrases: 10, R 20/21/22/34