Cocamide DEA, Cocamide Diethanol Amine, Coconut Diethanolamide, Coconut Fatty Acid Diethanolamide, Cocamide DEA, 68603-42-9, 61791-31-9

COCAMIDE DEA (COCO DIETHANOLAMIDE)

1. Chemical Identity and Material Classification

• Chemical Name: Amides, coco, N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl); Coconut Fatty Acid Diethanolamide

• Synonyms: Cocamide DEA, Coco Diethanolamide, Coconut Acid Diethanolamide, Coconut Diethanolamide, CDEA, Cocodiethanolamide, N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)coco amides, Lauramide DEA (C12-rich grade), Alkamide CDE, Comperland KD, KD (Koko Dietanolamin)

• CAS Numbers:

  • 68603-42-9 (primary – fatty acid mixture)

  • 61791-31-9 (alternative – alkyl amine derivative)

• Molecular Formula: R–CON(CH₂CH₂OH)₂ (where R–CO represents coconut fatty acid radical, primarily C8–C18)

• Molecular Weight: Variable (mixture of fatty acid chain lengths)

• Chemical Class: Non-ionic surfactant (alkanolamide)

• UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport (typically)

2. Raw Material Composition

Cocamide DEA is produced from coconut oil-derived fatty acids reacted with diethanolamine. The typical fatty acid composition of coconut oil is:

3. Physical Properties

4. Quality Specifications (Grade: 1:1 Type)

4.2 Alternative Grades (1:1.5 and 1:2 Types)

Note: The ratio refers to the molar ratio of fatty acid to diethanolamine used in production (1:1, 1:1.5, or 1:2).

5. Chemical Properties

5.1 Molecular Structure

Structure: R–C(=O)–N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂

Where:

• R: Mixed coconut alkyl chain (C8–C18, predominantly C12)

• Amide linkage: Provides stability and surface activity

• Two hydroxyethyl groups: Provide water solubility and hydrogen bonding

5.2 Key Functional Properties

4.3 Production Method

Reaction: Coconut fatty acids + Diethanolamine (DEA) → Cocamide DEA + H₂O

Process:

1. Coconut fatty acids are charged to a reactor

2. Diethanolamine is added (typical molar ratios: 1:1 to 1:2)

3. Reaction temperature: 150–180°C

4. Water is removed to drive reaction to completion

5. Product is cooled, neutralized, and packaged

Typical yield: >95%

6. Mechanism of Action

6.1 Thickening Mechanism

In anionic surfactant systems (e.g., SLES, LAS), Cocamide DEA:

• Intercalates between surfactant molecules

• Increases the size and number of micelles

• Results in increased viscosity

Viscosity synergy: Maximum viscosity obtained at certain ratios with anionic surfactants.

6.2 Foam Stabilization Mechanism

• Reduces surface tension at air-water interface

• Forms stronger film around air bubbles

• Prevents bubble coalescence

• Increases foam creaminess and longevity

6.3 Detergency Synergy

When combined with anionic surfactants:

• Improves wetting and penetration

• Enhances soil suspension

• Prevents soil redeposition

• Boosts overall cleaning performance 

7. Industrial Applications

7.1 Personal Care and Cosmetics (Primary Application)

Benefits in personal care:

• Reduces irritation of anionic surfactants (SLS, SLES) 

• Creates rich, creamy, stable foam 

• Provides conditioning and antistatic properties 

• Excellent viscosity builder

• Mild to skin and eyes

7.2 Detergents and Cleaning Products

7.3 Textile Industry

7.4 Metalworking and Industrial

7.5 Other Industrial Applications

8. Comparison with Other Alkanolamides

9. Toxicology and Safety

9.1 Acute Toxicity

9.2 Special Concerns – Diethanolamine (DEA) and Nitrosamines

9.3 Regulatory Status

9.4 GHS Classification

10. Safety Precautions and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Hazards:

  • Causes eye and skin irritation

  • May cause allergic skin reaction in susceptible individuals

  • Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects – avoid environmental release

• PPE (recommended):

  • Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile)

  • Safety glasses (EN 166) or chemical goggles

  • Protective clothing (for industrial handling)

• First aid:

  • Eye contact: Rinse with water for 15 minutes; remove contact lenses; seek medical attention if irritation persists

  • Skin contact: Wash with soap and water

  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air

  • Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do NOT induce vomiting; drink water; seek medical attention if large amount swallowed

11. Environmental Fate

12. Storage and Handling

12.1 Storage Conditions

12.2 Low Temperature Behavior

• Product may thicken or gel at low temperatures (<15°C)

• Gelled material can be liquefied by warming to 30–40°C with mild agitation

• No loss of performance after freeze-thaw cycles

13. Transport Information

14. Synonyms and Common Names

• English: Cocamide DEA, Coco Diethanolamide, Coconut Fatty Acid Diethanolamide, CDEA, Cocodiethanolamide, N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)coco amides, Amides, coco, N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl)

• Trade names: Alkamide CDE, Comperland KD, Ninol, Witcamide, Empilan CDE, Rewomid, Schercomid, Cyclomide, Stepan CDE

• Korean: 코카마이드 DEA

• Japanese: コカミドDEA

15. Regulatory Status

16. Why Choose Cocamide DEA?

Limitations:

• Potential nitrosamine formation – Requires careful quality control and formulation

• May cause skin sensitization – In susceptible individuals

• Freezes/thickens at low temperatures – Requires warming before use in cold environments

• Not compatible with highly acidic or oxidizing systems

17. Formulation Examples

17.1 Thickened Shampoo (Cocamide DEA as Thickener)

17.2 High-Foam Dishwashing Liquid

18. Product Grades Comparison

19. Storage Recommendations

20. Summary Table – Key Specifications at a Glance

This TDS is prepared in compliance with ISO 11014-1 format and is intended for personal care formulators, detergent chemists, industrial cleaning specialists, textile processors, and procurement professionals. Certificates of Analysis (CoA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and sample validation reports are available upon request.