Chemical formulas early formulations

Triethanolamine of formula N(C2H40H)3 is an oily water-soluble liquid having a fishy odor and is produced by reacting ammonia with ethylene oxide. Normally it is used in combination with other chemicals in admixture formulations. Its first use was reported in 1936, and the formulation containing TEA interground with calcium lignosulfonate was used to increase early strengths. 

Since related alkaloids frequently form mixtures that are not readily separable, purification of the bases obtainable has been assured only by careful application of modem techniques. For this reason much of the early work, some of which dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century, is now of historical rather than chemical interest. The examination by many early workers of impure material caused confusion and impeded, rather than aided, later chemical work. Whilst no stmcture has been established for any alkaloid discussed in this chapter, recently tentative formulations (1,2) have been put forward as a basis for the review of the properties of atisine. In spite of the lack of stmctural formulas, a great deal of information is available about the properties and chemical behavior of the Aconitum and Delphinium alkaloids, and the close interrelation of some alkaloids of the two species has been fully elucidated. 

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