Colorless hygroscopic crystal with a strong ammonia odor, rapidly sublimates at room temperature. Has a highly symmetrical molecular cage structure. The solubility of triethylenediamine in water, acetone, benzene, ethanol, and butanone (g/lOOg) is 45, 13, 51, 77, and 26.1. Exposure to hydrogen peroxide can cause an explosion. Spontaneous combustion can occur with carbon at 230 ℃. Reacts with nitrocellulose upon contact.
Used as a corrosion inhibitor in boiler water treatment. It is also used as a catalyst for polyurethane foaming and polymerization, a promoter for epoxy resin curing, and a catalyst for acrylonitrile, ethylene, and vinyl oxide.