Hexamethylenetetramine
A cage-structured heterocyclic amine built from formaldehyde and ammonia — a stable, crystalline formaldehyde-equivalent reagent central to phenolic-resin curing and rubber compounding.
Chelora Chemicals supplies hexamethylenetetramine to resin, rubber and specialty-chemical manufacturers worldwide, with full documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 100-97-0
- IUPAC name
- 1,3,5,7-Tetraazatricyclo[3.3.1.1³,⁷]decane
- Molecular formula
- C₆H₁₂N₄
- Molecular weight
- 140.19 g/mol
- Melting point
- ~280 °C (sublimes)
- Physical state
- White crystalline solid
- GHS signal word
- Warning
- HS Code
- 2933 69*
* Confirm the current HS classification and import regulatory status for your destination with your own regulatory affairs team.
What Hexamethylenetetramine is used for
Hexamethylenetetramine, widely known as HMTA or hexamine, is a white crystalline solid with a faint amine odour. Unlike the open-chain amines elsewhere in our range, its four nitrogen atoms and six methylene bridges arrange into a rigid, highly symmetric adamantane-like cage structure — the reason it sublimes cleanly rather than melting, and behaves as a stable, easily handled solid.
Industrially, HMTA's largest use is as a curing agent (crosslinker) for phenolic novolac resins, where it releases formaldehyde and ammonia on heating to drive the resin to its final cured, crosslinked state. It is also widely used as a rubber vulcanization accelerator, and in organic synthesis as a convenient, solid formaldehyde-equivalent reagent for several well-established named reactions. Outside industrial chemistry, it is also recognised academically under the name methenamine for oral pharmaceutical use, and in solid fuel tablets for portable stoves.
Where it sits in the heterocyclic amine family
- Piperidine & Piperazine six-membered saturated N-heterocycles — solvent and pharmaceutical-intermediate chemistry. See that page.
- Morpholine & N-Methylmorpholine oxygen-nitrogen heterocycles — corrosion inhibitor and catalyst chemistry. See that page.
- Hexamethylenetetramine (this product) a polycyclic cage amine — resin-curing and rubber chemistry, structurally distinct from the single-ring heterocycles above.
Appearance and handling character
Hexamethylenetetramine is a flammable solid that may cause an allergic skin reaction. Full hazard details are in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay | 99.0% min |
| Moisture | 0.5% max |
| Residue on ignition | Within producer specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | White crystalline solid; faint amine odour |
| Sublimation point | ~280 °C |
| Density | 1.33 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Highly soluble |
| Amine class | Polycyclic heterocyclic amine (cage structure) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 100-97-0 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this cage amine to work
A stable solid formaldehyde-equivalent reagent spanning resin, rubber and specialty chemistry.
Phenolic-resin curing agent
Releases formaldehyde and ammonia on heating to crosslink phenolic novolac resins to their final cured state.
- Technical grade specification
- Bag & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Rubber vulcanization accelerator
Widely used in rubber compounding to speed and control the vulcanization reaction.
- Technical-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Organic-synthesis reagent
A convenient solid formaldehyde-equivalent reagent used in several well-established named organic reactions.
- Packs from 25 kg bag / bulk
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Solid fuel-tablet component
Compressed into solid fuel tablets for portable camping and laboratory heating applications.
- Technical grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Metal-casting & foundry binders
Used as a hardener component in certain resin-bonded foundry sand and core-binder systems.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
- Technical desk review on request
Contract & scheduled supply
Resin and rubber-compounding plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Hexamethylenetetramine
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. HMTA's role in resin-curing performance means consistent assay and low moisture matter — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Assay and moisture confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to resin-cure and vulcanization performance.
- Flammable-solid logistics managed. We advise on pack type and handling given the product's flammability classification.
- Skin-sensitisation documentation filed correctly. Every shipment carries the correct hazard declarations.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Bag, drum or bulk — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
25 kg kraft / PP bags
Standard packaging for crystalline HMTA powder, palletised and shrink-wrapped.
Fibre or steel drums
For orders preferring drum-based handling over bags.
500-1000 kg bulk bags
Bulk-bag supply sized to continuous resin and rubber-compounding plant consumption.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Flammable solid, potential sensitiser
Hexamethylenetetramine's combination of flammability and skin-sensitisation potential makes ignition control and PPE the central handling concerns. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H228Flammable solid.H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch. Handle with gloves and adequate ventilation; keep away from heat, sparks and open flame.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry area, away from heat, open flame and strong oxidisers. The crystalline solid is stable at normal ambient storage temperatures when kept dry.
Handling
Use with adequate ventilation to avoid inhaling dust. Minimise skin contact with appropriate gloves. Keep away from ignition sources given its flammable-solid classification.
Transport
Classified according to its flammable-solid profile for transport. We confirm and document packing group and exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Assay and moisture confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How hexamethylenetetramine is made
Hexamethylenetetramine is produced industrially by the condensation of formaldehyde with ammonia, a long-established reaction that assembles the characteristic cage structure directly, followed by crystallisation and drying to the required assay.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical and safety documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Polycyclic heterocyclic amine (cage structure) |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen sites | Four, arranged in an adamantane-like cage |
| Reactivity | Releases formaldehyde and ammonia on heating or acid hydrolysis |
| Related compounds | Piperidine, Morpholine (single-ring heterocyclic amines) |
Explore the wider amine range
Hexamethylenetetramine, answered
What is hexamethylenetetramine used for?
Why is hexamethylenetetramine called a cage compound?
Is hexamethylenetetramine hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Need a related amine? See our Piperidine and Morpholine pages.
Get a quote on Hexamethylenetetramine today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.