Formula (NH2CH2CH2)3N Density 977 kg/m³ Appearance Colourless liquid | Molar mass 146.236 g/mol Boiling point 265 °C | |
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Related amines Related compounds | ||
Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine is the organic compound with the formula N(CH2CH2NH2)3. This colourless liquid is soluble in water and is highly basic, consisting of a tertiary amine center and three pendant primary amine groups. Abbreviated tren, it is the archetypal tripodal ligand of interest in coordination chemistry.
Contents
Tren is a C3-symmetric, tetradentate chelating ligand that forms stable complexes with transition metals, especially those in the 2+ and 3+ oxidation states. Tren complexes exist with relatively few isomers, reflecting the constrained connectivity of this tetramine. Thus, only a single achiral stereoisomer exists for [Co(tren)X2]+, where X is halide or pseudohalide. In contrast, for [Co(trien)X2]+ five diastereomers are possible, four of which are chiral. In a few cases, tren serves as a tridentate ligand with one of the primary amine groups non-coordinated.
Related tripodal ligands
The permethylated derivative of tren is also well known. With the formula N(CH2CH2NMe2)3, "Me6tren," forms a variety of complexes but, unlike tren, does not stabilize Co(III). Related amino-triphosphines are also well developed, such as N(CH2CH2PPh2)3 (m.p. 101-102 °C). This species is prepared from the nitrogen mustard N(CH2CH2Cl)3. Tren is a common impurity in the more common triethylenetetramine ("trien"). As a trifunctional amine, tren forms a triisocyanate when derivatized with COCl2.
Safety considerations
(NH2CH2CH2)3N, like other polyamines, is corrosive.