Hexamethylenetetramine
The cage-structured polyamine supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as HMTA, methenamine or urotropine, the standard crosslinking agent for phenolic (novolac) resins and a widely used rubber and foundry-resin chemical — exported from Indonesia as a white crystalline powder with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Hexamethylenetetramine is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its distinctive cage structure, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Hexamethylenetetramine is a rigid, cage-shaped polyamine: four nitrogen atoms and six methylene bridges arranged in an adamantane-like three-dimensional lattice. All four nitrogens are tertiary amines, weakly basic and each capable of donating formaldehyde back out under acidic or thermal conditions, which is the chemistry behind most of its industrial uses.
At room temperature it is an odourless, white, free-flowing crystalline powder, highly soluble in water, that sublimes rather than melting at a sharply defined temperature. It is thermally and hydrolytically stable under neutral conditions but breaks down under acid or strong heat, releasing formaldehyde and ammonia — the reaction that underlies its use as a resin crosslinker.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
HMTA's dominant industrial use is as the curing/crosslinking agent for phenol-formaldehyde (novolac) resins, where its cage structure acts as a built-in, solid source of formaldehyde that crosslinks the resin on heating — essential to friction materials (brake pads), abrasive wheels, foundry sand binders and refractory products. It also serves as a rubber vulcanisation accelerator/activator and as a corrosion inhibitor component in acid pickling.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Hexamethylenetetramine in technical grade (≈99% assay) for standard resin-curing and rubber-chemical use, and high-purity grade (99.5%+) for applications sensitive to ash content and colour. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Hexamethylenetetramine is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Hexamethylenetetramine is manufactured by the direct condensation of formaldehyde with ammonia in aqueous solution: 6 HCHO + 4 NH₃ → C₆H₁₂N₄ + 6 H₂O. The reaction proceeds rapidly and exothermically at moderate temperature; the product crystallises from the reaction liquor on cooling and concentration, and is purified by recrystallisation and drying to the required assay and ash specification before milling and packing.
Why the formaldehyde-ammonia route is universal
Both formaldehyde and ammonia are produced at very large scale as commodity petrochemicals for a wide range of other downstream uses, and their direct, single-step condensation to HMTA is simple, high-yielding and has been the standard industrial process since the compound's earliest commercial production.
Industries and processes that use it
Hexamethylenetetramine is consumed overwhelmingly as a phenolic resin crosslinker, with significant secondary demand from rubber compounding and corrosion-inhibitor formulation. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Phenolic (Novolac) Resin Crosslinker
Acts as a solid, built-in formaldehyde source that crosslinks novolac resin on heating — the standard hardener for friction materials, abrasives and foundry binders.
Rubber Vulcanisation Accelerator/Activator
Used as an accelerator and methylene-donor in rubber compounding, including as a resorcinol-formaldehyde bonding-system component.
Corrosion Inhibitor Component
Used in formulated acid-pickling and metal-cleaning inhibitor packages to reduce acid attack on base metal.
Foundry & Refractory Binder Chemical
A key crosslinking additive in phenolic no-bake and shell-moulding sand binder systems used in metal casting.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The cage structure's ability to release formaldehyde and ammonia under acid or heat governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Hexamethylenetetramine is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Thermal/Acid Decomposition (Resin Curing)
On heating with a phenolic novolac resin, the cage breaks down to release formaldehyde in situ, which crosslinks the resin into an infusible thermoset network.
Reaction with Phenol (Resole-Type Chemistry)
Can react directly with phenol under controlled conditions to build methylene-bridged phenolic structures used in specialty resin and adhesive chemistry.
Complexation & Salt Formation
Forms coordination complexes and crystalline salts with metal ions and acids, used in analytical and specialty-chemical applications.
Oxidative/Hydrolytic Breakdown
Hydrolyses under acidic aqueous conditions to formaldehyde and ammonium salts, the basis of its controlled-release behaviour in formulated products.
Hexamethylenetetramine against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Hexamethylenetetramine for resin curing or rubber compounding sometimes need a related nitrogen-chemistry intermediate for formulation work. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexamethylenetetramine | 100-97-0 | Cage-structure polyamine | The product on this page — the standard crosslinking agent for phenolic resins. |
| Piperazine | 110-85-0 | Cyclic diamine | A related nitrogen heterocycle used across pharma and curing-agent chemistry — see its product page. |
| Morpholine | 110-91-8 | Oxygen-containing cyclic amine | A related cyclic amine used in rubber-chemical and formulation work — see its product page. |
| Hexamethylenediamine | 124-09-4 | Six-carbon diamine | A related six-carbon nitrogen compound and the nylon 66 co-monomer — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Hexamethylenetetramine.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Flammable solid.
May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Causes serious eye irritation.
Decomposes on combustion to release formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide fumes — avoid inhaling smoke from burning material.
Gloves, safety glasses and dust-appropriate respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling of the powder.
Minimise airborne dust during transfer and packing; avoid ignition sources near fine powder (dust explosion precaution).
Repeated skin contact can lead to sensitisation in susceptible individuals — avoid unnecessary skin contact.
Warning — GHS02 flammable solid and GHS07 harmful pictograms apply.
This compound is a flammable solid that may cause an allergic skin reaction and causes serious eye irritation. It decomposes on combustion to release formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide fumes, so smoke from any burning material should not be inhaled. It must be handled with gloves, safety glasses and dust-appropriate respiratory protection, with dust generation and ignition sources kept to a minimum. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry area away from heat sources, open flame, strong acids and strong oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging protected from moisture. As a combustible powder, keep away from ignition sources and avoid generating dust clouds near open flame. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, moisture and ash content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Hexamethylenetetramine leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Hexamethylenetetramine shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Hexamethylenetetramine used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Hexamethylenetetramine?+
03How is Hexamethylenetetramine made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Hexamethylenetetramine hazardous?+
06Why doesn't Hexamethylenetetramine have a normal melting point?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other nitrogen-chemistry intermediates as well?+
Need Hexamethylenetetramine on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.