methenamine
Sign in to saveHexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), also known as 1,3,5,7-tetraazaadamantane, is a heterocyclic organic compound with diverse applications. It has the chemical formula (CH2)6N4 and is a white crystalline compound that is highly soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It is useful in the synthesis of other organic compounds, including plastics, pharmaceuticals, explosives, and rubber additives. The compound is also used medically for certain conditions. It sublimes in vacuum at 280°C. It has a tetrahedral cage-like structure similar to adamantane. The four vertices are occupied by nitrogen atom
Article
13 sectionsContents
- Synthesis, structure, reactivity
- Applications
- Medical uses
- Histological stains
- Solid fuel
- Food additive
- Reagent in organic chemistry
- Explosives
- Pyrotechnics
- Historical uses
- Producers
- Occurrence
- References
Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), also known as 1,3,5,7-tetraazaadamantane, is a heterocyclic organic compound with diverse applications. It has the chemical formula (CH2)6N4 and is a white crystalline compound that is highly soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It is useful in the synthesis of other organic compounds, including plastics, pharmaceuticals, explosives, and rubber additives. The compound is also used medically for certain conditions. It sublimes in vacuum at 280°C. It has a tetrahedral cage-like structure similar to adamantane. The four vertices are occupied by nitrogen atoms, which are linked by methylene groups. Although the molecular shape defines a cage, no void space is available at the interior.
==Synthesis, structure, reactivity== Hexamethylenetetramine was discovered by Aleksandr Butlerov in 1859. It is prepared industrially by combining formaldehyde and ammonia: 350px