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IUPAC name
Other names
Hexamine; Methenamine;
Urotropine; 1,3,5,7- tetraazaadamantane, Formin, Aminoform
100-97-0 YesY
ATC code J01XX05
ChEMBL ChEMBL1201270 N
ChemSpider 3959 YesY
EC number 202-905-8
Jmol-3D images Image
KEGG D00393 YesY
MeSH Methenamine
PubChem 4101
Molar mass 140.186 g/mol
Appearance White crystalline solid
Density 1.33 g/cm3 (at 20 °C)
Melting point 280 °C (536 °F; 553 K) (sublimes)
85.3 g/100 mL
Acidity (pKa) 4.89[1]
Main hazards Highly flammable, harmful
410 °C (770 °F; 683 K)
 N verify (what isYesY/N?)
Infobox references

Hexamethylenetetramine or methenamine 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 vacuum at 280 °C.

Synthesis, structure, reactivity[edit]

The compound was discovered by Aleksandr Butlerov in 1859.[2][3][4][5]

Hexamethylenetetramine is prepared industrially by combining formaldehyde and ammonia.[6] 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 bridges. Although the molecular shape defines a cage, no void space is available at the interior for binding other atoms or molecules, unlike crown ethers or larger cryptand structures.

The molecule behaves like an amine base, undergoing protonation and N-alkylation.


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.[6]

It has been proposed that hexamethylenetetramine could work as a molecular building block for self-assembled molecular crystals. [7][8]

Medical uses[edit]

As the mandelic acid salt (generic methenamine mandelate, USP[9]) it is used for the treatment of urinary tract infection. It decomposes at an acidic pH to form formaldehyde and ammonia, and the formaldehyde is bactericidal; the mandelic acid adds to this effect. Urinary acidity is typically ensured by co-administering vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or ammonium chloride. Its use had temporarily been reduced in the late 1990s, due to adverse effects, particularly chemically-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in overdose,[10] but its use has now been re-approved because of the prevalence of antibiotic resistance to more commonly used drugs. This drug is particularly suitable for long-term prophylactic treatment of urinary tract infection, because bacteria do not develop resistance to formaldehyde. It should not be used in the presence of renal insufficiency.[medical citation needed]

Histological stains[edit]

Methenamine silver stains are used for staining in histology, including the following types:

Solid fuel[edit]

Together with 1,3,5-trioxane, hexamethylenetetramine 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 of 30.0 megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg), 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.[11]

Food additive[edit]

Hexamethylene tetramine or hexamine is also used as a food additive as a preservative (INS number 239). It is approved for usage for this purpose in the EU,[12] where it is listed under E number E239, however it is not approved in the USA, Russia, Australia, or New Zealand.[13]

Reagent in organic chemistry[edit]

Hexamethylenetetramine is a versatile reagent in organic synthesis.[14] It is used in the Duff reaction (formylation of arenes),[15] the Sommelet reaction (converting benzyl halides to aldehydes),[16] and in the Delepine reaction (synthesis of amines from alkyl halides).[17]


Hexamethylenetetramine is the base component to produce RDX and, consequently, C-4[6] as well as Octogen, hexamine dinitrate and HMTD.


Since 1990 the number of European producers has been declining. The French SNPE factory closed in 1990; in 1993, the production of hexamethylenetetramine 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 and Company stopped producing methenamine tablets in 2002.[11] In Australia, Hexamine Tablets for fuel are made by Thales Australia Ltd. In México, Hexamine is produced by Abiya.


  1. ^ Cooney, A. P.; Crampton, M. R.; Golding, P. (1986). "The acid-base behaviour of hexamine and its N-acetyl derivatives". J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 2 (6): 835. doi:10.1039/P29860000835. 
  2. ^ Butlerow, A. (1859). "Ueber einige Derivate des Jodmethylens" [On some derivatives of methylene iodide]. Ann. Chem. Pharm. (in German) 111 (2): 242–252. doi:10.1002/jlac.18591110219. 
  3. ^ http://library.istu.edu/hoe/books/ruschem.pdf
  4. ^ Butlerow, A. (1860). "Ueber ein neues Methylenderivat" [On a new methylene derivative]. Ann. Chem. Pharm. (in German) 115 (3): 322–327. doi:10.1002/jlac.18601150325. 
  5. ^ http://library.istu.edu/hoe/books/ruschem.pdf
  6. ^ a b c Eller, K.; Henkes, E.; Rossbacher, R.; Höke, H. (2000). "Amines, Aliphatic". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a02_001. ISBN 9783527306732. 
  7. ^ Markle, R. C. (2000). "Molecular building blocks and development strategies for molecular nanotechnology". Nanotechnology 11: 89. doi:10.1088/0957-4484/11/2/309. 
  8. ^ Garcia, J. C.; Justo, J. F.; Machado, W. V. M.; Assali, L. V. C. (2009). "Functionalized adamantane: building blocks for nanostructure self-assembly". Phys. Rev. B 80: 125421. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.80.125421. 
  9. ^ "Methenamine mandelate, USP". Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals. 
  10. ^ Ross, R. R.; Conway, G. F. (1970). "Hemorrhagic cystitis following accidental overdose of methenamine mandelate". Am. J. Dis. Child. 119 (1): 86–87. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1970.02100050088021. PMID 5410299. 
  11. ^ a b Alan H. Schoen (2004), Re: Equialence of methenamine Tablets Standard for Flammability of Carpets and Rugs. U.S. Consumer product Safety Commission, Washington, DC, July 29, 2004. Many other countries who still produce this include Russia, Saudi Arabia, China and Australia.
  14. ^ Blažzević, N.; Kolbah, D.; Belin, B.; Šunjić, V.; Kajfež, F. (1979). "Hexamethylenetetramine, A Versatile Reagent in Organic Synthesis". Synthesis 1979 (3): 161–176. doi:10.1055/s-1979-28602. 
  15. ^ Allen, C. F. H.; Leubne, G. W. (1951). "Syringic Aldehyde". Org. Synth. 31: 92. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.031.0092. 
  16. ^ Wiberg, K. B. (1963). "2-Thiophenaldehyde". Org. Synth. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.000.0000. ; Coll. Vol. 3, p. 811 
  17. ^ Bottini, A. T.; Dev, V.; Klinck, J. (1963). "2-Bromoallylamine". Org. Synth. 43: 6. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.043.0006.