Definition

A clear, colorless liquid that is an amino alcohol, often used as a solvent in various industrial processes, including petroleum purification and the production of detergents and pharmaceuticals.

Example

Ethanolamine is commonly used in the production of detergents and as a solvent in dry cleaning.

Conversation

Hey, have you heard about ethanolamine?

Yeah, I read it’s used in cleaning products and paints.

I find it interesting how such a simple compound can be so versatile.

Totally! It's amazing how much chemistry affects our daily lives.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ethanolamine is formed from "ethanol" (from Greek "aithēr" meaning upper air or pure, and Latin "alcohol" meaning spirit) and "amine" (from Latin "aminus" meaning nitrogen compound). The word refers to a nitrogen-containing compound derived from ethanol.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ethanol' as a pure spirit and 'amine' as a nitrogen compound, which helps you remember that ethanolamine is a nitrogen compound derived from ethanol.

Visually Confused Words