Triéthylamine
The triéthylamine is a chemical compound of empirical formula, usually noted Et3N. One frequently meets it in organic synthesis and this because it constitutes the symmetrical tertiary amine simplest, liquid with room temperature. It has a strong fish odor evoking ammonia. The diisopropyléthylamine is more largely used to replace Et3N. It is commonly employed in organic synthesis as a base, especially in the preparation of esters and amides starting from acid chlorides.
These reactions lead to the hydrochloric acid formation which, combining with the triéthylamine, form the salt of hypochlorure of triéthylamine. This reaction eliminates hydrochloric acid from the mixture, which is necessary to the quantitativity of the reaction.
Like the other tertiary amines, Et3N catalyzes the epoxy resin and polyurethane foam formation. It is also very useful in the reactions of ß-elimination:
And oxidations of Swern:
The triéthylamine alkyl easily to give quaternary ammonium corresponding: