Hexamethylenediamine
is used almost exclusively for the production of polymers, an application that
takes advantage of its bifunctional structure. The great majority of the
diamine is consumed by the production of nylon 66 via condensation with adipic
acid. Otherwise hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is generated from this diamine
as a monomer feedstock in the production of polyurethane. The diamine also
serves as a cross-linking agent in epoxy resins.
Structure:
Chemical
formula: C6H16N2
Molar mass:
116.21 g·mol−1
Appearance:
Colourless crystals
Density:
0.84 g/mL
Melting point:
39 to 42 °C (102 to 108 °F; 312 to 315 K)
Boiling
point: 204.6 °C; 400.2 °F; 477.7 K
Solubility
in water: 490 g L−1
log P:
0.386
Hexamethylenediamine is the organic compound with the formula
H2N(CH2)6NH2. The molecule is a diamine, consisting of a hexamethylene
hydrocarbon chain terminated with amine functional groups. The colorless solid
(yellowish for some commercial samples) has a strong amine odor, similar to
piperidine. About 1 billion kilograms are produced annually.