2,4,6-Tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol is an aromatic organic chemical that has tertiary amine and phenolic hydroxyl functionality in the same molecule. The formula is C₁₅H₂₇N₃O and the CAS Registry Number is 90-72-2. It is REACH registered and the European Community Number is 202-013-9.

Uses

A key use is as a catalyst for epoxy resin chemistry. It can be used as a homopolymerization catalyst for epoxy resins and also as an accelerator with epoxy resin curing agents. It is then further used in

coating A coating is a covering that is applied to the surface of an object, or substrate. The purpose of applying the coating may be decorative, functional, or both. Coatings may be applied as liquids, gases or solids e.g. powder coatings. Paints ...

s, sealants, composites,

adhesive Adhesive, also known as glue, cement, mucilage, or paste, is any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation. The use of adhesives offers certain advantage ...

s and

elastomer An elastomer is a polymer with viscoelasticity (i.e. both viscosity and elasticity) and with weak intermolecular forces, generally low Young's modulus (E) and high failure strain compared with other materials. The term, a portmanteau of ''ela ...

s. It has been stated that it is probably the most widely used room temperature accelerator for two-component epoxy resin systems. The kinetics of curing with and without this accelerator have been extensively studied. It is the usual benchmark or control used when other catalysts and accelerators are being developed and tested. In addition to its use in epoxy chemistry, it is also used in polyurethane chemistry for example by grafting the molecule into the polymer backbone. It is also used as a trimerization catalyst with polymeric MDI. Polyether ether ketones may also be grafted with the molecule which then finds use in lithium batteries. The high functionality of the molecule means it can be used to complex some transition metals and this has also been studied. Often cited weaknesses are yellowing and odor.

Manufacture

The material is a Mannich base and is manufactured by reacting

phenol Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile and can catch fire. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () ...

formaldehyde Formaldehyde ( , ) (systematic name methanal) is an organic compound with the chemical formula and structure , more precisely . The compound is a pungent, colourless gas that polymerises spontaneously into paraformaldehyde. It is stored as ...

and

dimethylamine Dimethylamine is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2NH. This secondary amine is a colorless, flammable gas with an ammonia-like odor. Dimethylamine is commonly encountered commercially as a solution in water at concentrations up to around ...

in a reactor under vacuum and removing the water produced.

Toxicity

It is classed as a high volume chemical and as such, its toxicity profile has been extensively studied.

Uses

Manufacture

Toxicity

References

Further reading