Methyldiethanolamine is a commonly traded chemical that is subject to international controls, specifically under Schedule 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).1Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “Most Traded Scheduled Chemicals 2022.” Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://www.opcw.org/resources/declarations/most-traded-scheduled-chemicals-2022. Schedule 3 encompasses toxic chemicals and their precursors that may be produced in large quantities commercially, for purposes not prohibited under the CWC.2Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “Annex on Chemicals: Guidelines for Schedule 3.” Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/annexes/annex-chemicals/annex-chemicals.
Identifiers
Commercial Uses
Methyldiethanolamine is known by at least 93 different synonyms3National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7767, N-Methyldiethanolamine, Depositor-Supplied Synonyms. Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7767#section=Depositor-Supplied-Synonyms&fullscreen=true. and has many commercial applications, including in the manufacture of construction and building materials, ink for inkjet printers, film forming, and as a component in fragrances.4National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7767, N-Methyldiethanolamine. Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/N-Methyldiethanolamine.
The Dual-use Nature
Methyldiethanolamine is also a precursor to mechlorethamine (Bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine), a nitrogen mustard chemical warfare agent developed for use as a vesicant or blister agent, similar to sulfur mustards.5National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Annotation Record for N-Methyldiethanolamine, Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB). Retrieved 7 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/source/hsdb/6804. Itself a dual-use chemical, mechlorethamine has also been used as a chemotherapy agent in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia, and lung cancer.6National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 4033, Mechlorethamine. Retrieved March 1 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Mechlorethamine.
Trade: Chemical Vendors & International Traders
At least 44 worldwide vendors of Methyldiethanolamine, including suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.7National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7767, N-Methyldiethanolamine, Chemical Vendors. Retrieved 7 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7767#section=Chemical-Vendors&fullscreen=true.
81 Countries reported trade in Methyldiethanolamine since 20178Ibid.
Notes
- 1Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “Most Traded Scheduled Chemicals 2022.” Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://www.opcw.org/resources/declarations/most-traded-scheduled-chemicals-2022.
- 2Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “Annex on Chemicals: Guidelines for Schedule 3.” Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/annexes/annex-chemicals/annex-chemicals.
- 3National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7767, N-Methyldiethanolamine, Depositor-Supplied Synonyms. Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7767#section=Depositor-Supplied-Synonyms&fullscreen=true.
- 4National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7767, N-Methyldiethanolamine. Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/N-Methyldiethanolamine.
- 5National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Annotation Record for N-Methyldiethanolamine, Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB). Retrieved 7 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/source/hsdb/6804.
- 6National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 4033, Mechlorethamine. Retrieved March 1 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Mechlorethamine.
- 7National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7767, N-Methyldiethanolamine, Chemical Vendors. Retrieved 7 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7767#section=Chemical-Vendors&fullscreen=true.
- 8Ibid.