Solvent · low polarity
Triethylamine C6H15N
Also: TEA, Et3N
HPLC mobile-phase additive: a basic silanol-masking/suppressing agent added (typically 0.1-1%) to reduce peak tailing of basic analytes on silica-based C18 columns; ion-pairing/ion-suppression reagent and organic base pH modifier. Used in TEAA/TEAP (triethylammonium acetate/phosphate) buffers for ion-pair RP-HPLC of oligonucleotides, nucleotides and phosphorylated compounds. Also used in GC as a basic deactivating additive and as a synthesis/HPLC-prep base. Note: it absorbs in the low UV (measurable absorbance from ~254 up to ~300 nm), so it interferes with low-wavelength UV detection.
Compiled by Hemant RawatLast reviewed July 2026How we verify
Properties
- Formula
- C6H15N
- CAS number
- 121-44-8
- UV cutoff
- —
- Snyder polarity index (P′)
- 1.9
- Selectivity group
- I
- Eluotropic strength ε° (silica)
- —
- Boiling point
- 89 °C
- Viscosity (25 °C)
- 0.36 cP
- Refractive index (nD²⁰)
- 1.401
- Density
- 0.726 g/mL
- Water miscibility
- partial
- USP <467> class
- Class 3
Safety
- highly flammable (flash point approx -7 to -11 C)
- corrosive - causes severe skin/eye burns
- acute toxicity (harmful/toxic oral, dermal, inhalation)
- respiratory irritant / lachrymator
- not a peroxide former
- not classified as carcinogen
Reference only. Solvents can be flammable, toxic, or peroxide-forming. Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and your lab's protocols before handling.
What Triethylamine mixes with
Miscible with: 1-Propanol, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,4-Dioxane, 2-Propanol, Acetic acid, Acetone, Acetonitrile, Benzene, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroform, Cyclohexane, Dichloromethane, Diethyl ether, Dimethyl sulfoxide, Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, Iso-octane, Methanol, Methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone, MTBE, n-Butanol, n-Butyl acetate, n-Heptane, n-Hexane, N-Methylpyrrolidone, n-Pentane, N,N-Dimethylacetamide, N,N-Dimethylformamide, Pyridine, tert-Butanol, Tetrahydrofuran, Toluene.
Partially miscible with: Water — mix only over a limited range.
Check any specific pair on the interactive miscibility chart.
Using Triethylamine in HPLC/GC
HPLC mobile-phase additive: a basic silanol-masking/suppressing agent added (typically 0.1-1%) to reduce peak tailing of basic analytes on silica-based C18 columns; ion-pairing/ion-suppression reagent and organic base pH modifier. Used in TEAA/TEAP (triethylammonium acetate/phosphate) buffers for ion-pair RP-HPLC of oligonucleotides, nucleotides and phosphorylated compounds. Also used in GC as a basic deactivating additive and as a synthesis/HPLC-prep base. Note: it absorbs in the low UV (measurable absorbance from ~254 up to ~300 nm), so it interferes with low-wavelength UV detection.
Its Snyder polarity index is 1.9 (selectivity group I), and its UV cutoff of — nm limits low-wavelength UV detection.See what the polarity index means and the full UV cutoff table.
Sources
- University of Toronto (TRACES) — Burdick & Jackson — Solvent UV cutoff table (absorbance = 1 AU, 1 cm cell)
- Stenutz / L. R. Snyder — Solvent polarity index (P′) and selectivity groups
- NIST — Chemistry WebBook — thermophysical properties (BP, density, refractive index)
- PubChem (NIH/NLM) — Compound property records (physical constants, CAS, formula)
- USP <467> / ICH Q3C — Residual Solvents — solvent classification (Class 1/2/3)
Values are compiled from public references and were last verified July 2026. See ourmethodologyfor how we source and verify. Always confirm critical values against primary references and the SDS.
Related solvents
Other selectivity group I to compare with Triethylamine.