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.