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

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/cx43N/2/

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.