Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine carries a mouthful of a name, but the chemistry behind it holds real value for people looking to bring flexible silane chemistry to their work. It’s a specialty aminosilane, bringing two silane groups and a linking amine in between. Its systematic molecular formula is C18H43NO6Si2, reflecting the backbone of three propyl arms joined to triethoxysilyl groups. This compound puts together elements of silicon organic chemistry into a unique solution for many industries. CAS number 1760-24-3 links to its global identification, and the HS Code 2920909090 ties it to international trade in organic chemicals. Every time I’ve handled this material, its practical versatility stands out far beyond just its molecular architecture.
This aminosilane typically appears as a clear to pale yellowish liquid, although sometimes slight turbidity crops up after long storage due to hydrolytic tendencies in moist air—reminding anyone who keeps chemicals that proper storage keeps performance up. Density measures around 0.950 to 1.030 g/cm³ at 25°C, so it doesn’t weigh down the container much. The molecular structure features a central nitrogen atom bonded to two separate 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl moieties. Each of these arms carries a Si atom linked to three ethoxy groups, creating good crosslinking and surface-bonding capacity once it’s in play. This structure brings real appeal for people working with glass, metals, or polymers aiming for chemical surface coupling. In my own lab work, the “liquid” characteristic ensured easy handling and mixing; even when the bottle got chilly, it didn’t crystallize or form flakes—some solvents do, but not this one.
Producers usually supply Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine as a technical or purified liquid, often in barrels or liter containers, recognizing the need for bulk handling in manufacturing. Key property indices run from purity levels above 97% (sometimes pushing 98.5% or higher) to specific gravity and refractive index in the typical ranges for silanes. Because of its ethoxy groups, the compound brings a slightly pleasant, sweet alcohol smell—not overpowering but distinct, reminding any careful chemist of its presence. It never shows up as flakes, pearls, powder, or crystals; no matter how long the storage, you don’t see those forms, just the consistent liquid state. That saves on unnecessary sieving or pre-mixing before use. On viscosity, the liquid flows easily, even at lower temperatures, reducing the headaches that come from slow-pouring or stubbornly thick chemicals.
One of the standout features of Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine lies in the ethoxy groups available for hydrolysis and condensation during application. When exposed to water, these ethoxy arms break down, releasing ethanol and forming silanol groups, which can go on to form strong covalent bonds with oxide surfaces or react with organic polymers. The central amine brings additional reactivity, providing sites for adhesion, crosslinking, or binding to resins and adhesive formulations. Its molecular architecture helps it act as a bridge—a chemical handshake—between inorganic substrates and organic matrices. My own experience with surface modification projects found this compound tough to match in coupling glass to resin matrices.
The most widespread uses for Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine appear in fields where bonding and interface improvement mean real performance jumps. You see it in adhesives for automotive and aerospace, where bridging metal and composite parts remains one of the trickiest material challenges. It’s often used in glass fiber treatment and mineral filler surface modification across plastic and rubber industries. The aminosilane group in its structure helps increase wettability and add chemical binding, while the silane tails anchor on oxide surfaces. My time in plastics labs showed that adding just a drop or two in resin formulations improved adhesion and water resistance in finished products. Waterborne coatings and corrosion protection formulas often include it as a primer or adhesion enhancer, driving up product lifespans and reliability in demanding settings.
From a materials handling point of view, Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine needs the same respect as any organosilicon chemical with reactive alkoxy groups. While this material doesn’t show the acute toxicity of many small amines, it still acts as a skin and eye irritant for most handlers. Prolonged exposure to vapors can bring respiratory discomfort or allergy-like symptoms in sensitive individuals, especially if the ethanol released during hydrolysis isn’t controlled. Always work with gloves and goggles, and keep lab environments ventilated. I’ve seen careless handling turn into long afternoons of skin redness or persistent coughs in close labs. Storage conditions ought to keep moisture out—sealed drums, dry nitrogen blanketing for big operations. Keep it away from open flames, as the ethoxysilane fragments can ignite in air, and use chemical-resistant containers, since metal and certain plastics can interact over time. The best safety practice comes from treating this material as a raw input deserving proper risk management like securing eyewash stations, having spill cleanup kits handy, and maintaining a strict separation from strong oxidizers or acids.
Handling Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine in bulk always raises questions about waste, environmental load, and safe disposal. The hydrolysis byproducts include ethanol, and eventual breakdown of silane residues leads to siloxanes and silanols—these don’t create acute environmental threats but do accumulate in certain soil or water matrices if released carelessly. Based on experience, labs and factories should keep rinsates and cleanup residues out of ordinary drains to prevent long-term buildup or unplanned exposure to wildlife. Regulations in most countries set guidelines for chemical effluent and solvent recovery, usually mandating incineration or approved solvent reclamation. Safe chemical management shows up every year in industrial training, and real-world incidents remind teams never to skip steps in neutralization and proper labeling.
Every production process for Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine relies on reliable sourcing for both the triethoxysilane and the amine components; these, in turn, depend on the silicon and petrochemical industries. Fluctuating oil and energy prices trickle down to the cost of aminosilanes, while the gradual interest in renewable feedstocks encourages new research into greener forms of production. From conversations with procurement teams, I’ve seen rising demand for sourcing transparency and product stewardship, as chemical buyers increasingly ask for quality documentation and traceability. The future for this compound looks promising if producers keep tightening safety controls, reduce impurities, and align logistics with global regulatory expectations. The world of advanced material science keeps turning up new application fields—from solar panels to medical devices—which leads to renewed interest in adaptable, multi-functional chemicals like Bis[3-(Triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine.
