Hexamethylenetetramine HTA

202-905-8 EEC-no. 30 Test Submission Data Base Jan. 2001 1,3,5,7 - tetraazaadamantane, Hexamine, Urotropin 

680 in H2O, 28 in ethanol very soluble in chloroform, insoluble in ether 

The efficacy at HTA is based on its formaldehyde content which, however, is only released in acid media. According to its composition HTA is the formaldehyde releasing compound with the highest percentage of bound formaldehyde. As with formaldehyde, HTA preferably attacks bacteria and not mould producing fungi to such an extent. 

HTA is listed in the EC list of preservatives for cosmetics (maximum authorized concentration 0.15%). Percentage of use in US cosmetic formulations 0.005%. The application is very limited, as HTA in only effective in acid formulations. As a preservative for acid food preparations or technical functional fluids, HTA today is no longer of importance. 

Auto ignition temperature °C pH of fresh aqueous solutions Stability 

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Probably the first synthesized formaldehyde releasing compound is hexamethylenetetramine (HTA) which was obtained in 1860 from the condensation of ammonia and formaldehyde according to the reaction pathway illustrated in Fig. 25. 

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