Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 28, 2026

N-Nitrosodiethylamine

N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) is an organic compound with the formula Et2NNO (Et = C2H5). A member of the nitrosamines, it is a light-sensitive, volatile, clear yellow oil that is soluble in water, lipids, and other organic solvents. It has an amine or aromatic odor. It is used as gasoline and lubricant additive, antioxidant, and stabilizer for industry materials. When heated to decomposition, N-nitrosodiethylamine emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides. N-Nitrosodiethylamine affects DNA integrity, probably by alkylation, and is used in experimental research to induce liver tumorigenesis. It is carcinogenic and mutagenic. NDEA has also been found to perturb amino acid biosynthesis including arginine, as well as DNA damage repair and mitochondrial genome maintenance in yeast.

Last revised
Jul 28, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
503 w
Citations
10
Source
N-Nitrosodiethylamine
source ↗
Ball-and-stick model of nitrosodiethylamine
Ball-and-stick model of nitrosodiethylamine source ↗
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Diethylnitrous amide
Other names
N-Ethyl-N-nitrosoethanamine
Diethylnitrosamine
DENA
NDEA
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.206
EC Number
  • 214-237-4
KEGG
MeSH D004052
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C4H10N2O/c1-3-6(4-2)5-7/h3-4H2,1-2H3
    Key: WBNQDOYYEUMPFS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CCN(CC)N=O
Properties
C4H10N2O
Molar mass 102.137 g·mol−1
Appearance Yellow liquid1
Density 0.95 g/mL1
Boiling point 177 °C (351 °F; 450 K)1
−59.3·10−6 cm3/mol
Related compounds
Related compounds
Diethylamine, N-Nitrosodimethylamine
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) is an organic compound with the formula Et2NNO (Et = C2H5). A member of the nitrosamines, it is a light-sensitive, volatile, clear yellow oil that is soluble in water, lipids, and other organic solvents. It has an amine or aromatic odor. It is used as gasoline and lubricant additive, antioxidant, and stabilizer for industry materials. When heated to decomposition, N-nitrosodiethylamine emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides. N-Nitrosodiethylamine affects DNA integrity, probably by alkylation, and is used in experimental research to induce liver tumorigenesis.2 It is carcinogenic and mutagenic.3 NDEA has also been found to perturb amino acid biosynthesis including arginine, as well as DNA damage repair and mitochondrial genome maintenance in yeast.4

It is found in tobacco smoke.56

It is classified as a Group 2A carcinogen (probable human carcinogen) by the World Health Organization.7

NDEA involvement in recalls

In the year 2019, NDEA was found as an impurity in valsartan and other angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed levels of NDEA and/or NDMA exceeding the interim acceptable intake limits, and the affected medicines were recalled.8

References

References

  1. "N-Nitrosodiethylamine". Sigma-Aldrich.
  2. "N-Nitrosodiethylamine". PubChem. National Center for Biotechnology Information. May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  3. Verna, L; Whysner, J; Williams, G. M. (1996). "N-nitrosodiethylamine mechanistic data and risk assessment: Bioactivation, DNA-adduct formation, mutagenicity, and tumor initiation". Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 71 (1–2): 57–81. doi:10.1016/0163-7258(96)00062-9. PMID 8910949.
  4. Ogbede, J.U., Giaever, G. & Nislow, C. A genome-wide portrait of pervasive drug contaminants. Sci Rep 11, 12487 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91792-1
  5. Tricker, A. R.; Ditrich, C; Preussmann, R (1991). "N-nitroso compounds in cigarette tobacco and their occurrence in mainstream tobacco smoke". Carcinogenesis. 12 (2): 257–61. doi:10.1093/carcin/12.2.257. PMID 1995191.
  6. Talhout, Reinskje; Schulz, Thomas; Florek, Ewa; Van Benthem, Jan; Wester, Piet; Opperhuizen, Antoon (2011). "Hazardous Compounds in Tobacco Smoke". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 8 (12): 613–628. doi:10.3390/ijerph8020613. ISSN 1660-4601. PMC 3084482. PMID 21556207.
  7. "List of Classifications, Volumes 1-115". IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Risk to Humans. International Agency for Research on Cancer. February 22, 2016. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  8. "FDA Updates and Press Announcements on Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) Recalls (Valsartan, Losartan, and Irbesartan)". Drug Safety and Availability. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. November 7, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2021.