Monoethanolamine (MEA) is a simple ethanolamine with one primary amine and one alcohol group. It is a colorless liquid with a mild ammonia odour. MEA is mainly used in sweetening natural gas and coal gas, and as soap or amides in heavy-duty detergents. Monoethanolamine is also used in the production of ethylene amines.
Ethanolamine is an organic chemical compound with the formula HOCH ₂CH ₂NH ₂ or C ₂H ₇NO. The molecule is bifunctional, containing both a primary amine and a primary alcohol. Ethanolamine is a colorless, viscous liquid with an odor reminiscent of ammonia.