Hexamine
C6H12N4 is a heterocyclic organic compound with the chemical name Hexamine. It is also called Methenamine, Hexamethylenetetramine or Urotropin. It acts as an anti-infective agent which is most commonly used to treat urinary tract infections.
Overview
Hexamethylenetetramine, also known as methenamine, hexamine, or urotropin, is a heterocyclic organic compound with the formula (CH2)6N4. This white crystalline compound is highly soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It has a cage-like structure similar to adamantane. It is useful in the synthesis of other organic compounds, including plastics, pharmaceuticals, and rubber additives.
Applications
The dominant use of hexamethylenetetramine is in the production of powdery or liquid preparations of phenolic resins and phenolic resin moulding compounds, where it is added as a hardening component. These products are used as binders, e.g. in brake and clutch linings, abrasive products, non-woven textiles, formed parts produced by moulding processes, and fireproof materials.
Heterocyclic organic compounds are composed of at least one atom of carbon bound to at least one other element, such as oxygen or sulfur. The atoms are arranged in a ring structure. Hexamine goes by several other names, including methenamine, urotropine, and hexamethylenetetramine. Among other applications, hexamine is used as an antibiotic.
The reaction of formaldehyde and ammonia yields the crystalline hexamine. Its molecular formula is C6H12N4. Particles of hexamine tend to range in size from 80 to 800 micrometers; a strand of human hair is about 100 micrometers wide. It is soluble in water and in most organic substances, and it has a cage-like structure.
