Applications

Amino alcohols possess both the physical and chemical characteristics of alcohols and amines within a single molecule. These versatile compounds are highly valuable and find applications across a wide range of industries.

Chemcial intermediate application

Amino alcohols are versatile intermediates widely used in various synthetic processes. They undergo several common chemical reactions that lead to the formation of different compounds, including:

• Amides and amide esters through reactions with carboxylic acids and organic acid esters.
• Amino acids by oxidation of the alcohol group and hydrolysis of the amide.
• Diamines when reacting with nitro alcohols.
• Heterocyclic organic compounds, such as oxazoline, formed by dehydration.
• Oxazolidine when reacted with aldehydes or ketones.
• Oxazoline esters and diesters produced by reacting with three moles of an organic acid.
• Salts formed by reacting with inorganic acids.

These reactions demonstrate the broad applicability of amino alcohols in the synthesis of diverse chemical compounds.

Emulsifier applications

Amino alcohols are widely used in the production of efficient anionic emulsifiers and nonionic polyethylene emulsions. These emulsifiers are commonly found in personal care product formulations, offering advantages such as better base strength, lower neutral equivalent, and reduced volatility compared to traditional amine emulsifiers. In personal care products, amino alcohols function to neutralize acidic raw materials and enhance the water solubility of resinous materials. They provide excellent base strength, low odor levels, good solubility in both water and alcohol, and color stability, making them ideal for use in cosmetics.

Coating application

The difunctionality of amino alcohols makes them valuable raw materials in polymer applications, both water- and solvent-based. They help increase the solubility of other components and improve solution stability. Amino alcohols also act as dispersants in pigment dispersion, enhancing wetting properties and viscosity stability. Additionally, the salts of amino alcohols are used in coatings to improve package stability, further enhancing the performance of the final product.

Corrosion Inhibition application

Amino alcohols help maintain a consistent alkalinity in boiling water flows and condensates, preventing the formation of solid products that could obstruct flow. This property makes them effective corrosion inhibitors. They are widely used in the production of water-soluble cationic flocculants and ion exchange resins, which adsorb solid and colloidal particles through electrostatic attraction. Amino alcohols are also employed in various applications, including water treatment, metal treatment, and the absorption of CO2 gas.

Catalyst application

The salts of amino alcohols, including hydrochloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, and sulfonate salts, can be used either alone or in combination with other catalysts to provide balanced curing action with selected textile resins. These salts enhance the curing process, ensuring optimal performance and effectiveness in textile applications.

Biochemical application

In the biological field, the amino alcohol structure is commonly found in many drugs, particularly antihistamines. Sphingosine, an amino alcohol, serves as the major base for sphingolipids in mammals, playing a crucial role in signal transmission and cell recognition. Amino alcohol compounds are also key starting materials in the synthesis of beta-lactam antibiotics, humectants for food and cosmetics, flavoring agents, and various pharmaceuticals, including oral, injectable, and topical forms. Additionally, amino alcohols function as amine buffers in a wide range of medications.