medicine: methenamine
methenamine description
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Hexamine 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 chemical compounds, e.g. plastics, pharmaceuticals, rubber additives. It sublimes in a vacuum at 280 °C.
Synthesis, structure, reactivity
Hexamine is prepared by the reaction of formaldehyde and ammonia. The reaction can be conducted in gas-phase and in solution.
The molecule has a symmetric tetrahedral cage-like structure. Similar to adamantane, whose four "corners" are nitrogen atoms and "edges" are methylene groups. Although the molecular shape defines a cage, no void space is available at the interior for binding other atoms or molecules.
The molecule behaves like an amine base, undergoing protonation and N-alkylation.
Applications
The main use of hexamine is in the production of powdery or liquid preparations of phenolic resins and phenolic resin moulding compounds, where hexamine 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.
Medicinal uses
Methenamine hippurate, a salt formed by the combination of hippuric acid and hexamine, is used to treat urinary tract infections. Since it is activated by the acids in urine, it is suitable only for infections of the lower urinary tract. It is also used in the treatment of obstructive post-renal disease, in combination with urine alkanization.
Combustion
Together with 1,3,5-trioxane, hexamine is a component of hexamine fuel tablets used by campers, hobbyists, the military and relief organizations for heating camping food or military rations. It burns smokelessly, has a high energy density, does not liquify while burning, and leaves no ashes.
Standardized 0.149 g tablets of methenamine (hexamine) are used by fire-protection laboratories as a clean and reproducible fire source to test the flammability of carpets and rugs.
The explosives RDX and HMX can be derived from hexamine.
Reagent in organic chemistry
Hexamine is a versatile reagent in organic synthesis. It is used in the Duff reaction (formylation of arenes), the Sommelet reaction (converting benzyl halides to aldehydes), and in the Delepine reaction (synthesis of amines from alkyl halides).
Miscellaneous applications
Hexamine is used in rubber and textile adhesives, in paints and lacquers, in the photographic industry, in the production of as a corrosion inhibitor, as a protein modifier. It is also used in chemical analysis, as an anti-caking agent in the production of urea and in the production of deodorants and hair fixers, among many other uses.
Producers
Since 1990 the number of European producers has been significantly declining. The French SNPE factory closed in 1990; in 1993, the production of hexamine in Leuna, Germany ceased; in 1996, the Italian facility of Agrolinz closed down; in 2001, the UK producer Borden closed; in 2006, production at Chemko, Slovak Republic, was closed. Remaining producers include INEOS in Germany, Caldic in the Netherlands, and Hexion in Italy. In the US, Eli Lilly stopped producing methenamine tablets in 2002.
| Name | Information | Price* | Quantity |
| Dehydral Cream | 15 grams (methenamine) | $13 | 15 grams |
| Hiprex 1g | 60 tablets (methenamine hippurate) | $58 | 60 tablets |
| Mandelamine 500mg | 100 tablets (methenamine) | $42 | 100 tablets |
| Prosed DS 81.6/36.2/10.8/9/0.12mg | 100 tablet (Benzoic Acid, Hyoscyamine Sulfate, Methenamine, Methylene Blue, Phenyl Salicylate) | N/A | |
| Uroquid Acid No2 | 100 tablet (methenamine/sodium phosphate) | N/A |
*) Prices related to some of online drugstores. There are only approximate prices. For some of drugs is needed a prescription.
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