Morpholine is a volatile organic chemical compound that has the properties of two functional groups, amine and ether. This chemical has high chemical stability due to its special structure.
The ether group in morpholine is usually inactive and most of the reactions of this compound are related to the secondary amine group. Due to the presence of the amine functional group, morpholine has basic properties and due to the presence of H +, it also exhibits acidic properties.
Industrial production of morpholine is possible through the hydration of diethanolamine with sulfuric acid. This chemical can also be produced from the reaction of diethylene glycol and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst.
Technical Characteristics
| Chemical Formula | C4H9NO |
| Other names | Diethyleneimide oxide 1,4-Oxazinane Tetrahydro-1,4-oxazine Diethylene imidoxide diethylene oxamide Tetrahydro-p-oxazine |
| CAS Number | 110-91-8 |
| Molecular Weight | 87.122 g·mol−1 |
| Melting Point | −5 °C |
| Boiling Point: | 129 °C |
| Acidity | 8.36 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
Applications
• Corrosion inhibitor in boiler systems
• As an intermediary in the manufacture of rubber chemicals and optical brighteners
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Disinfectant in water purification systems
• Agriculture industry
• As an antioxidant in the production of lubricating oils
Environmental impact of Morpholine
Morpholine can have various impacts on the environment, especially if improperly disposed of or leaked into the environment. This chemical, which is easily soluble in water, may harm aquatic ecosystems by entering water sources and negatively affect the health of aquatic organisms. Also, if it penetrates into the soil, it may disrupt the microbial balance of the soil and reduce its quality. For this reason, proper disposal and management of morpholine is essential to reduce its environmental impacts.
Safety Measures and Regulations for Handling Morpholine
This chemical can be hazardous to human health and the environment. It is recommended to use personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses and a respirator when working with this chemical. Also, the work environment should be well ventilated to prevent the accumulation of morpholine vapors. This chemical should be stored in closed containers away from heat sources and reactive chemicals.
Packing
This chemical is available in 200 kg barrels.