Triethanolamine borate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . The compound belongs to the class of borates.
Triethanolamine borate is not a single discrete molecule but rather a coordination complex or salt formed between the Lewis acidic boron center of boric acid and the Lewis basic nitrogen and hydroxyl groups of triethanolamine. The exact structure depends on the molar ratio of reactants, pH, and reaction conditions. In the most common 1:1 complex, boron coordinates with the tertiary amine nitrogen and/or hydroxyl oxygen atoms of triethanolamine, forming a chelated structure that enhances solubility and stability compared to the parent compounds.
Triethanolamine borate can be obtained by reacting an aqueous solution of equal parts boric acid and triethanolamine.
Triethanolamine borate forms a white, odorless crystalline powder that is soluble in water. The compound has an orthorhombic crystal structure.
The compound is also soluble in organic solvents such as acetone, acetonitrile, pyridine, nitrobenzene, acetic acid, chloroform, and the alcohols. It is slightly soluble in petroleum ether and cold benzene, but insoluble in carbon tetrachloride.
The compound is commonly used as a corrosion inhibitor, surfactant, buffering agent, and stabilizer in various industrial and consumer applications.
It is also used in colorimetric test strips for urinalysis, as a reagent for the monoalkylation of ketones, and as a hardener for epoxy resins.