Ethylenediamine (abbreviated as en when a ligand) is the organic compound with the formula C2H4(NH2)2. This colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor is a strongly basic amine. It is a widely used building block in chemical synthesis, with approximately 500,000,000 kg being produced in 1998.[1]
SynthesisEthylenediamine is manufactured by reacting ammonia and 1,2-dichloroethane. The reaction yields the mixture of ethylenediamine and the linear polyamines. A simplified equation would be:
ApplicationsEthylenediamine is used in large quantities for production of many industrial chemicals. It forms derivatives with carboxylic acids (including fatty acids), nitriles, alcohols (at elevated temperatures), alkylating agents, carbon disulfide, and aldehydes and ketones. Because of its bifunctional nature, having two amines, it readily forms heterocycles such as imidazolidines. Precursor to chelating agentsThe most prominent derivative of ethylenediamine is EDTA, which is derived from ethylenediamine via a Strecker synthesis involving cyanide and formaldehyde. Hydroxyethylethyelenediamine is another commercially significant chelating agent. The salen ligands, derived from the condensation of salicylaldehydes and ethylenediamine, are popular chelating agents in the research laboratory although not commercially significant.[1] Precursor to pharmaceuticals and agrichemicalsNumerous bio-active compounds contain the N-CH2-CH2-N linkage, including aminophylline and some antihistamines.[2] Salts of ethylenebisdithiocarbamate are commercially significant fungicides under the brandnames Maneb, Mancozeb, Zineb, and Metiram. Some imidazoline-containing fungicides are derived from ethylenediamine.[1] Role in polymersEthylenediamine, by virtue of its bifunctionality (i.e. it contains two reactive amines) is widely used in diverse polyester formulations. Condensates derived from formaldehyde are plasticizers. It is widely used in the production of polyurethane fibers. The PAMAM class of dendrimers are derived from ethylenediamine.[1] TetraacetylethylenediamineThe bleaching activator tetraacetylethylenediamine is generated from ethylenediamine. The derivative N,N-ethylenebis(stearamide) (EBS) is a commercially significant mold-release agent and a surfactant in gasoline and motor oil. Specialized applications
Coordination chemistryEthylenediamine is the prototypical chelating ligand for coordination compounds, such as [Co(ethylenediamine)33+. EthylenaminesEthylenediamine is the first member of the so-called polyethylene amines, other members being:
Related diaminesIn terms of quantities produced, ethylenediamine is the most significant diamine (aside from diaminohexane, which is a precursor to Nylon 6-6). Related derivatives of ethylenediamine include tetramethylethylenediamine, abbreviated (TMEDA), (CH3)2N-CH2CH2-N(CH3)2 and tetraethylethylenediamine, abbreviated (TEEDA), (C2H5)2N-CH2CH2-N(C2H5)2 SafetyEthylenediamine exposure can cause the skin to become irritated. It was used in commercially available skin products including Mycolog cream.[3] Ethylenediamine has a half-life of about 30 minutes and a small volume of distribution of 0.133 liters/kg. After oral administration its bioavailability is about 0.34, due to a substantial first-pass effect. Less than 20% is eliminated by renal excretion.[4] EthylenediaminesEthylenediamines are also a class of antihistamines related to this chemical which includes some of the oldest and most widely used such as pyrilamine and tripelennamine (Pyribenzamine, PBZ, Pelamine).citation needed See alsoReferences
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