Diethyltoluamide

Diethyltoluamide (CAS 134-62-3), known as DEET, is the benchmark active ingredient in insect and arthropod repellent formulations.

Where is Diethyltoluamide used?

• Consumer and professional repellents: sprays, lotions, creams, impregnated wipes
• Military and expedition formulations: high-concentration products for extended field use against mosquitoes and ticks
• Personal care: pump sprays and roll-ons for pharmacy and outdoor retail
• Fabrics and gear: treatment in combination repellent systems
• It disrupts insect olfactory receptors, preventing host location.
• Standard active in protection programs against malaria, dengue fever and Lyme disease.
• Solvent for certain resins and film-forming agents in various industrial applications.

Good to know: Not to be confused with fabric-specific actives such as permethrin. Concentrations typically range from 5% to 100% depending on protection duration and target market.

Formulation notes

• Can be formulated with ethanol into a 15% or 30% diethyltoluamide formulation.
• Repellents combined with sunscreens in the same formulation should not be applied.

Typical specification

• Offered in technical grade.
• Assay (GC) of at least 96.0%.
• Appears as a clear colorless to pale yellow liquid.

Regulatory status

• Classified under ATC code P03BX01 for insecticides and repellents.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored at room temperature.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.