Hexamethylenediamine Safety, Uses and Top Manufacturers in China

Hexamethylenediamine is a low-melting, colorless solid used extensively for many industrial purposes. It is used, along with adipic acid, to manufacture nylon 6,6 — a widely used polyamide in plastics and textiles.

Its solution is a clear, colorless liquid. Hexamethylenediamine is soluble in water. It is corrosive to tissue and metals and thus needs precautions while using it. 

What is Hexamethylenediamine

Hexamethylenediamine molecule is a diamine, which is made up of a hexamethylene hydrocarbon chain ending with amine functional groups. It is a colorless solid with a strong amine odor.

Properties

• CAS number: 124-09-4

• Boiling point: 401° F

• Melting point: 108° F

• Molecular weight: 116.2 g/mol

• Density: 0.799 at 140.0° F

• Chemical formula: C6H16N2

• Solubility: 100 mg/mL at 73° F

• Flashpoint: 178 °F

• Autoignition temperature: 734 to 788 °F

Structure

Hexamethylenediamine Safety

Hexamethylenediamine is moderately toxic. It has an LD50 of 792–1127 mg/kg. 

Just like other amines, hexamethylenediamine may result in severe irritation and burns.

Chemical safety warnings include:

• Harmful if swallowed

• Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

• Harmful when comes in contact with the skin

• May cause respiratory irritation

• May cause serious eye damage

• Dangerous to the aquatic environment.

Chemical hazards

On combustion, it forms corrosive and toxic gases. It is a strong base and reacts aggressively with acids. It can attack many metals in the presence of water. Hexamethylenediamine also reacts with oxidants.

Routes of exposure

Hexamethylenediamine can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin, and by oral ingestion. 

Effects of acute exposure

It is harsh to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. On inhalation, it may cause an accumulation of fluids in the lungs. It is also corrosive on ingestion.

Inhalation risk

It can detrimentally affect the air rather quickly if evaporated at 20°C.

Effects of chronic or repeated exposure

If the skin comes in regular contact with hexamethylenediamine, you may get dermatitis.

Health Hazards

• Fire and explosion

• Burning sensation if inhaled. May cause cough, breathlessness, and sore throat

• When absorbed through the skin, it results in skin burns, redness, and blisters

• Redness of eyes

• Abdominal pain and cramps

• Shock or collapse

Stability

Hexamethylenediamine is stable in the air but flammable. However, it is incompatible with strong oxidants.

Hexamethylenediamine Manufacturing process and Synthesis

Theodor Curtius reported hexamethylenediamine for the first time. It is formed by the hydrogenation of adiponitrile:

The molten adiponitrile is diluted with ammonia. The hydrogenation takes place on adiponitrile in the presence of catalysts iron and cobalt. The yield of hexamethylenediamine is good through this process, but the reactivity of partially hydrogenated intermediates results in significant side effects.

The intermediates are hexamethyleneimine, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, and hexamethylenetriamine.

There is also an alternative process. It uses adiponitrile diluted with hexamethylenediamine and Raney nickel as the catalyst. This process operates at lower pressure and temperature and does not involve the use of ammonia.

Adipic Acid And Hexamethylenediamine

Adipic Acid

Adipic acid is a dicarboxylic acid. It is one of the most widely used dicarboxylic acids. It is a product formed by the cleavage of double bonds of alkenes by oxidation

Chemical Formula: C6H10O4

Hexamethylenediamine

It belongs to the family of amines and is extensively used for industrial purposes.

Chemical formula: C6H16N2

Adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine is aids in the formation of nylon 66.

Hexamethylenediamine Uses

Production of polymers

Hexamethylenediamine is extensively used for the synthesis of polymers. This application is owing to its structure. It is trifunctional in terms of amine hydrogens and difunctional with respect to the amine groups.

Production of nylon 66

Hexamethylenediamine is majorly used for the production of nylon 66. This polymer is produced through condensation with adipic acid.

Hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid are reacted to form a salt. The purified salt is polymerized with vacuum and at high temperatures to high-molecular-weight polymer, nylon 66.

The process:

• Equal amounts of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid is taken in a reactor along with water

• The combination crystallizes to form an ammonium/carboxylate mixture, a nylon salt

• This nylon salt is transferred to a reaction vessel

• Polymerization of the salt takes place continuously or in batches

• Removal of water causes polymerization through the formation of amide bonds

All this produces molten nylon 66. This can be granulated or extruded at this point. Alternatively, you can directly spin it into fibers by extrusion through a spinneret.

Other uses

• A binding agent and adhesive

• Building process materials such as insulation, tile, glass, flooring, and wood

• Products to promote hardening used in varnishes and paints

• Cleaning and washing products including soaps, laundry detergents, and spot removers

Industry uses

• Repackaging or drumming

• Intermediates

• Functional fluids

• Repackaging of various applications.

Hexamethylenediamine Price

The average price of hexamethylenediamine in China is $4-8/kg.

Hexamethylenediamine Manufacturers In China

Many reputed manufacturers offer hexamethylenediamine in China. Some of them include:

• Changsha Chemoway Co., Ltd: Built in Changsha, they are known for high-quality pharmaceutical intermediates, basic chemical materials, food, and industrial additives, pigment and dye intermediates, and special chemicals. They have become a global supplier of chemical products.

• Seebio Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd: It is one of the leading suppliers of pharmaceutical raw materials, especially vitamin K2. Initially started at Shanghai International Medical Park, it is now a globally integrated service provider. They are known for high-quality products and excellent service.

Bulk Production

You can also buy hexamethylenediamine in bulk from PharmaSources.com. It is a vertical e-commerce online destination with many quality global suppliers. You could find reliable active pharmaceutical ingredients suppliers,  surgical instruments suppliers, and health equipment suppliers on PharmaSources.com. PharmSources offers high-quality products to about 211 countries and regions. You can also compare products sold by various distributors and companies and thus make an informed decision.

FAQ

Is hexamethylenediamine flammable?

Yes. While hexamethylenediamine is stable in air, it is flammable. However, it is incompatible with strong oxidants.

It may cause allergic skin and respiratory reactions. It is also harmful if absorbed through the skin or swallowed. Hexamethylenediamine may also cause severe digestive tract and respiratory irritation with burns. It can also damage the liver. Hexamethylenediamine is hygroscopic. It may also cause fetal effects, according to animal studies.