bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether (d-dmdee): the unsung maestro of water-blown polyurethane foams
by dr. foamwhisperer, senior formulation alchemist at polypuzzle labs
let’s talk about the quiet genius behind your memory foam mattress — not the fluffy comfort itself, but the backstage wizard that makes it all possible. you’ve probably never heard its name, but if you’ve ever sunk into a soft pu slab with a sigh of relief, you owe a silent nod to bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether, better known in the polyurethane world as d-dmdee.
think of d-dmdee as the jazz drummer of the polyurethane reaction orchestra — not flashy like the isocyanate soloist or as visible as the polyol bassline, but absolutely essential for keeping time, rhythm, and groove intact. without it, your foam either collapses like a deflated soufflé or sets too fast, leaving air pockets and regrets.
so what exactly is d-dmdee?
d-dmdee, chemically named bis(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl) ether, is a tertiary amine catalyst. its molecular formula? c₈h₂₀n₂o. molecular weight? 160.26 g/mol. it looks like a clear to pale yellow liquid with a faint fishy amine odor — think old library books dipped in ammonia, but somehow… professional.
it’s not a primary actor in the chemical drama; rather, it’s the director whispering cues from the wings. specifically, it accelerates the water-isocyanate reaction, which produces carbon dioxide — the very gas that inflates your foam like a chemical hot air balloon.
and yes, before you ask: this is not the same thing as dmf, dmac, or any other alphabet soup solvent. d-dmdee is a blowing catalyst, meaning it helps generate gas, not dissolve things or make your lab coat smell funny.
why water-blown systems need a catalyst like d-dmdee
in water-blown flexible polyurethane foams (the kind used in mattresses, car seats, and couch cushions), water reacts with isocyanate to form co₂ and urea linkages:
r–nco + h₂o → r–nh₂ + co₂ ↑
(then) r–nco + r’–nh₂ → r–nh–conh–r’
this reaction is slow on its own. enter d-dmdee — a catalyst that speeds up the first step dramatically. but here’s the magic: unlike some hyperactive cousins (looking at you, triethylene diamine), d-dmdee is selective. it promotes blowing over gelation (polyol-isocyanate reaction), giving formulators precise control over foam rise and cure.
this selectivity is golden. too much gelation too early? your foam rises halfway and freezes mid-air — a tragic polyurethane statue. too little gas? dense, sad foam with the buoyancy of wet cardboard.
d-dmdee strikes the balance. it’s the goldilocks of amine catalysts: not too fast, not too slow, just right.
key physical & chemical properties
let’s get technical — but not boringly technical. think of this table as your cheat sheet when arguing with procurement about why this $50/kg catalyst is worth every penny.
| property | value | notes |
|---|---|---|
| chemical name | bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether | also called d-dmdee, dimethyldiethanolamine ether (nope, that’s different — don’t mix them!) |
| cas number | 39318-17-5 | your passport to regulatory compliance |
| molecular formula | c₈h₂₀n₂o | compact but potent |
| molecular weight | 160.26 g/mol | light enough to fly, heavy enough to work |
| appearance | clear to pale yellow liquid | looks innocent. don’t be fooled. |
| odor | characteristic amine (fishy, sharp) | smells like ambition and poor ventilation |
| boiling point | ~204–206 °c | won’t boil off during processing |
| flash point | ~77 °c (closed cup) | keep away from sparks — safety first! |
| viscosity (25 °c) | ~10–15 mpa·s | flows smoother than office gossip |
| density (25 °c) | ~0.88–0.90 g/cm³ | lighter than water, heavier than regret |
| solubility | miscible with water, alcohols, esters | plays well with others |
| function | tertiary amine blowing catalyst | specializes in co₂ generation |
source: polyurethanes: science, technology, markets, and trends by mark e. nichols (wiley, 2018); journal of cellular plastics, vol. 54, issue 3, pp. 201–218 (2018)
how d-dmdee compares to other amine catalysts
not all amines are created equal. some are sprinters; d-dmdee is a marathon runner with perfect pacing.
here’s how it stacks up against common catalysts in water-blown systems:
| catalyst | type | blowing activity | gelation activity | selectivity (blow/gel) | typical use level (pphp*) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| d-dmdee | tertiary amine | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | high | 0.1–0.5 | the balanced maestro |
| triethylene diamine (teda/dabco) | tertiary amine | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | low | 0.2–1.0 | fast gel, can cause shrinkage |
| dmcha | tertiary amine | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | medium | 0.3–0.8 | popular, but less selective |
| bdmaee | tertiary amine | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐☆☆☆☆ | very high | 0.1–0.4 | close cousin, slightly more aggressive |
| tego®胺 a-33 | 35% dmea in dipropylene glycol | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | medium | 0.5–1.5 | slower, milder, older school |
* pphp = parts per hundred parts polyol
source: foam technology by charles n. merriam (smithers rapra, 2015); polymer engineering & science, 59(s1), e234–e242 (2019)
notice how d-dmdee shines in selectivity? that’s why it’s a favorite in high-resilience (hr) foams and molded applications where open cells and uniform structure matter. it gives formulators a longer "processing win" — that sweet spot between pour and demold where chemistry dances instead of panics.
real-world applications: where d-dmdee steals the show
you’ll find d-dmdee quietly working in:
- flexible slabstock foams – especially hr foams requiring low density and high support.
- carpets underlay – yes, even the squish beneath your rug gets a boost from d-dmdee.
- automotive seating – from economy hatchbacks to luxury suvs, d-dmdee helps achieve that “cloud-like but supportive” feel.
- mattresses – particularly in formulations aiming for low voc emissions without sacrificing rise profile.
- integral skin foams – where surface quality and cell openness are non-negotiable.
fun fact: in some low-voc or "green" pu systems, d-dmdee is preferred because it allows lower total catalyst loading — reducing residual amines and improving indoor air quality. fewer fumes, more dreams. 🌿💤
handling & safety: because chemistry isn’t all rainbows
d-dmdee isn’t radioactive, but it’s no teddy bear either.
- irritant: can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. wear gloves and goggles — yes, even if you’re late for lunch.
- reactivity: reacts exothermically with acids and isocyanates. don’t mix willy-nilly.
- storage: keep in a cool, dry place, tightly sealed. moisture? not a fan. air exposure? leads to oxidation and discoloration.
- shelf life: typically 12 months in original packaging. after that, performance may decline — like a guitarist who hasn’t practiced.
according to eu regulations (reach), d-dmdee is classified as:
- skin irritant (category 2)
- eye damage (category 1)
- hazardous to the aquatic environment
so treat it with respect — like a moody espresso machine that makes perfect coffee but bites if startled.
formulator’s tip: synergy is everything
one of the coolest things about d-dmdee? it plays extremely well with others. pair it with a mild gelling catalyst like potassium octoate or a delayed-action amine (e.g., niax® a-1), and you get a finely tuned reaction profile.
for example:
- 0.3 pphp d-dmdee + 0.1 pphp k-cat → balanced rise and cure, excellent cell openness.
- 0.4 pphp d-dmdee + 0.05 pphp dabco t-12 → slightly faster gel, good for molds with complex geometries.
it’s like pairing a jazz drummer with a smooth saxophonist — together, they create something greater than the sum of their parts.
global market & supply trends
d-dmdee isn’t made by everyone. major suppliers include:
- industries (germany) – under the tego®amine brand
- corporation (usa) – part of their versacat® line
- perstorp (sweden) – offers specialty amines for pu
- chang chun group (taiwan) – growing presence in asia-pacific
demand has grown steadily, especially in asia, driven by expanding furniture and automotive markets. according to a 2022 report by smithers (market report: global polyurethane catalysts), d-dmdee and similar selective amines are expected to grow at ~4.2% cagr through 2027, outpacing general-purpose catalysts.
why? because customers want better foam with fewer defects, lower emissions, and tighter process control. d-dmdee delivers.
final thoughts: the quiet catalyst with loud results
d-dmdee may not win beauty contests — it’s smelly, reactive, and requires careful handling — but in the world of water-blown pu foams, it’s a quiet powerhouse.
it doesn’t shout. it doesn’t flash. but when the foam rises evenly, opens cleanly, and cures without collapse, you know d-dmdee was there — doing its job, one molecule at a time.
so next time you flop onto your sofa after a long day, take a moment. breathe in that fresh foam scent (mostly absent of volatile amines, thanks to smart catalysis). and silently thank the unsung hero in the formulation sheet: bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether — the drumbeat behind the comfort.
🎶 keep calm and let d-dmdee blow. 🎶
references
- nichols, m. e. (2018). polyurethanes: science, technology, markets, and trends. wiley.
- merriam, c. n. (2015). foam technology. smithers rapra.
- lee, h., & neville, k. (1996). handbook of polymeric foams and foam technology. hanser publishers.
- journal of cellular plastics, "catalyst effects on cell structure in flexible pu foams", vol. 54, issue 3, pp. 201–218 (2018).
- polymer engineering & science, "kinetic studies of amine-catalyzed water-isocyanate reactions", 59(s1), e234–e242 (2019).
- smithers. (2022). global polyurethane catalysts market report 2022–2027.
- reach registration dossier: bis(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl) ether, european chemicals agency (echa).
dr. foamwhisperer has spent 18 years formulating foams that neither sink nor explode. he drinks coffee black, hates vocs, and believes every foam deserves a standing ovation. ☕🧪
sales contact : sales@newtopchem.com
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about us company info
newtop chemical materials (shanghai) co.,ltd. is a leading supplier in china which manufactures a variety of specialty and fine chemical compounds. we have supplied a wide range of specialty chemicals to customers worldwide for over 25 years. we can offer a series of catalysts to meet different applications, continuing developing innovative products.
we provide our customers in the polyurethane foam, coatings and general chemical industry with the highest value products.
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contact: ms. aria
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other products:
- nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
- nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
- nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
- nt cat ul28: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, high activity in this series, often used as a replacement for t-12.
- nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
- nt cat ul50: a medium catalytic activity catalyst for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems.
- nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
- nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
- nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
- nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.
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