Amines and amides

Amines are used as gas treating solvents, corrosion inhibitors, epoxy hardeners, surfactant and rubber chemical intermediates, pharmaceutical and agrochemical building blocks and pH adjusters. Amides serve as solvents, slip agents, monomers and active ingredients. Specifications to check include assay, water, colour, the ratio of primary, secondary and tertiary amines, nitrosamine precursors and, for quaternary salts, the active content and free amine.

Many amines are corrosive, sensitising or flammable, and some aromatic amines are classified as carcinogens. Nitrosamine risk has become a key topic in pharmaceutical supply chains. In customs, amines sit under HS heading 2921, amino alcohols and amino acids under 2922, quaternary ammonium salts under 2923, amides and ureas under 2924 and imides under 2925.