Ethanolamine is a naturally occurring organic chemical compound with the formula HOCH ₂CH ₂NH ₂ or C ₂H ₇NO. The molecule is bifunctional, containing both a primary amine and a primary alcohol. Ethanolamine is a colorless, viscous liquid with an odor reminiscent of ammonia. Ethanolamine is commonly called monoethanolamine or MEA in order to be distinguished from diethanolamine and triethanolamine. The ethanolamines comprise a group of amino alcohols.