Melamine in Basic Chemistry useful information

Product Name : Melamine 

Synonyms : Cymel; 1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-triamine; cyanuramide; cyanuric triamide; triaminotriazine; 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine; cyanurotriamide; Teoharn; Theoharn; Virset 656-4; cyanurotriamine; 2,4,6-triamino-s-triazine; s-triaminotriazine; 2,4,6-triamino;  sym-triazine; 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)triimine;

Brief History : Melamine was first synthesized by German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1834. Initially, calcium cyanamide was converted into dicyandiamide, which when heated above its melting point produced melamine. 

About the Product : Melamine is an organic base and a trimer of cynanamide with a 1,3,5- triazine skeleton. . Like cyanamide, it contains 66%nitrogen by mass and, if mixed with resins, has fire retardant properties due to its release of nitrogen gas when burned or charred, and has several other industrial uses. It is used to manufacture dinnerware, melamine resin, laminate flooring, fabrics, flame retardants etc. 

Product Identification Features : 
CAS Number: 108-78-1 
H.S. Code: 2933.61
Chemical formula: C3N3 (NH2)3 
Chemical Properties: 
Melting point: -345 C
Boling point:  
Specific gravity: 1.573
Solubility in water: Slightly
Vapour density: 4.3

Uses :

• Combined with formaldehyde to manufacture melamine resin.

• Used to manufacture dinnerware and housewares.

• Used to manufacture melamine polysulphonate.

• Used as fire-retardant additives in paints, plastics and paper.

• Used in automotive and textile industry.

• Used to manufacture electronic goods.

Production Process : Melamine is now produced using urea. First, urea decomposes into cyanic acid and ammonia in an endothermic reaction. Then, cyanic acid polymerizes to form cyanuric acid that condenses with ammonia forming melamine thereby releasing water which then reacts with cyanic acid present producing carbon dioxide and ammonia.

6 (NH2)2CO → C3H6N6 + 6 NH3 + 3 CO2 

(NH2)2CO → HCNO + NH3 

6 HCNO + 3 NH3 → C3H6N6 + 3 CO2 + 3NH3