Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Analytical Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: jenrager on January 21, 2009, 08:29:27 AM

Title: Triethylamine and Hydrochloric acid interaction question
Post by: jenrager on January 21, 2009, 08:29:27 AM

I am looking to get opinions on an interaction of pure/conc. Triethylamine (TEA) and Hydrochloric Acid (HCl). I have an incident where the two have combined to make a white powder. The substance is no longer available for testing, and hence I must just go on pure chemistry principles.

 I am unsure if it is Triethylamine Chloride, or Triethylamine Hydrochloride or possibly something else. Please advise. Thank you.

Title: Re: Triethylamine and Hydrochloric acid interaction question
Post by: sjb on January 22, 2009, 06:05:54 AM

Do you know the chemistry behind what's happened?

Title: Re: Triethylamine and Hydrochloric acid interaction question
Post by: CopperSmurf on January 22, 2009, 12:40:01 PM

I hope you do realize that you protonated your triethylamine and just made a salt (thus a white powder), since it's a base + acid reaction. You could just get your TEA back by adding a strong base.