SECONDARY PRODUCTS OF ETHANOLAMINE

Morpholine is a solvent and intermediate for optical brighteners and rubber chemicals. It is also a corrosion inhibitor, especially in steam boiler systems. Some other uses include  

In one process morpholine is obtained from DEA by dehydration with 70% h2so4 to close the ring  

In the USA a newer production route has eclipsed the cyclization of diethanolamine. In this method, diethylene glycol, ammonia and a little hydrogen react at 150°C to 400°C and 30 to 400 bar over a catalyst containing Ni, Cu, Cr or Co to give morpholine. The process is operated by Huntsman Chemical Company in Port Neches, Texas, but more details are not known46. 

Morpholine is a colorless, oily, hygroscopic, volatile liquid with a characteristic amine odor. It is heavier than air and, as a result, the vapor can travel a significant distance to a source of ignition and flash back . 

Morpholine can undergo a diversity of chemical reactions. It is an amino ether. The ether function of the molecule is typically inert and most of the reactions involve the secondary amine group. 

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Ethanolamines are industrially valuable products whose main use is for the manufacture of detergents by reaction with fatty acids. The principal secondary products of ethanolamines are morpholine, ethylenimine and ethylenediamine. 

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