I would like to know if hexamine from Esbit tablets would be OK to use in a sulfuric modified Duff formylation as proposed by Ullman.
Does the waxy binder causes any problems ?
I have used it for other things, the hexamine from Esbit tablets works very well to make methylamine.HCl, for instance, it is not necessary to
separate the waxy binder.
I rather use the Esbit, 1.5 packs provide circa 250 g of hexamine, one less chemical to store in bulk.
Just in case, I will post the results of the formylation when I do it. Most probably next year, I am busy with work and other thingscrazyboy - 17-11-2010 at 18:32
You might be able to get away with it but in general it is never a good idea to use reagents with unknown quantities of inert compounds and binders. I
would try to purify it, however if you try recrystallization which is the simplest way you may have a hard time getting it dry. spirocycle - 19-11-2010 at 09:12
dont those tablets usually have hexamine AND trioxane?hissingnoise - 19-11-2010 at 09:55
I would try to purify it, however if you try recrystallization which is the simplest way you may have a hard time getting it dry.
Hexamine is easy to prepare by simply mixing CH2(OH)2 and an excess of NH4OH.
I've never had problems with evaporation to dryness!
xwinorb - 19-11-2010 at 21:33
I have once looked at the tablets composition information from Esbit, I think they say it is only hexamine and an inert ingredient, but don't mention
in what proportion.
I have used it to make methylamine, and I had no problems, and I have seen posted that it is not necessary to remove the waxy binder. After reacting
it shows up as a white coating on the inside of the boiling flask. It is easy to remove with acetone.
