Cyanuric acid or 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triol is an organic chemical compound with the chemical formula C₃H₃N₃O₃. Synonyms include 1,3,5-triazinetriol,s-triazinetriol, 1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, s-triazinetrione, tricarbimide, isocyanuric acid, and pseudocyanuric acid. This triazine derivative is a stable white solid at room temperature.

Chemical and Physical properties

Cyanuric acid is odorless, hygroscopic, and commonly used as a crystalline powder. On heating, it decomposes at 320-350°C and above emitting toxic fumes which have nitrogen oxides and cyanic acid. The two chemical structures shown at right readily interconvert to each other. Molecular mass: 129.09 g/mol

CAS # 108-80-5

The ring in its molecule has aromatic character. Because of this aromatic character, the hydroxyl (-OH) groups in the triol form of the molecule take on a phenolic character, becoming somewhat more acidic than hydroxyls in an alcohol. The hydrogen on any one of the hydroxyls on cyanuric acid can be neutralized to form a cyanurate salt.

Cyanuric acid is the cyclic trimer of cyanic acid.

Applications

Cyanuric acid is used as a stabilizer in recreational water treatment to minimize the decomposition of hypochlorous acid by light in outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs.

Chlorinated derivatives of cyanuric acid, such as trichloro-s-triazinetrione and sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione, are used as algacides or microbiocides in swimming pool water and large scale water systems in industry, etc.

References

Nitrogen heterocycles

Cyanursäure | Axít xyanuric