2,4,6-Trihydrazino-1,3,5-triazine
[CAS 10105-42-7]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Heterocyclic compound >> Triazines
• Name: 2,4,6-Trihydrazino-1,3,5-triazine
• Synonyms: (4,6-dihydrazinyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)hydrazine
• Molecular Formula: C₃H₉N₉
• Molecular Weight: 171.16
• CAS Registry Number: 10105-42-7
• EC Number: 233-288-3
• SMILES: C1(=NC(=NC(=N1)NN)NN)NN

Properties

• Density: 2.4±0.1 g/cm³ Calc.^*
• Boiling point: 382.7±25.0 °C 760 mmHg (Calc.)^*
• Flash point: 185.2±23.2 °C (Calc.)^*
• Index of refraction: 2.107 (Calc.)^*

^* Calculated using Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) Software.

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS05 Warning
• Risk Statements: H302-H315-H319-H335
• Safety Statements: P280-P305+P351+P338

chemBlink Chemical Story

How can a solid chemical create millions of tiny gas cells inside a hot polymer melt? 2,4,6-Trihydrazino-1,3,5-triazine, also called trihydrazinotriazine or cyanuric trihydrazide, is a high-temperature chemical blowing agent built for that job.

Its structure is unusually nitrogen-rich. A 1,3,5-triazine ring carries three hydrazino groups, giving the molecular formula C₃H₉N₉. When heated strongly, the compound decomposes rather than simply melting and evaporating. Plastics-additive references report decomposition around the high-200-degrees-Celsius range with evolution of nitrogen-containing gases, including nitrogen and ammonia. Those gases can nucleate bubbles inside a softened or molten polymer.

That sounds simple, but successful foaming is a timing problem. If gas is released before the polymer is viscous enough, it escapes. If decomposition occurs too late, the polymer may already be degraded or too rigid for bubbles to expand. A chemical blowing agent is therefore selected partly by decomposition temperature so its gas-generation window overlaps the processing window of the polymer. A relatively high-temperature agent such as trihydrazinotriazine is relevant to resins processed hotter than many low-temperature foams.

Once gas is generated, polymer rheology takes over. Small nuclei expand as pressure drops or more gas is produced. The melt must be strong enough to keep neighboring cells from merging but fluid enough to let them grow. Cooling then freezes the cellular structure. The resulting foam can use less material, reduce density, provide thermal or acoustic insulation, alter stiffness, or create special surface and core structures.

Historical patent literature documents trihydrazinotriazine as a blowing agent and also shows why formulation details matter: gas composition, decomposition rate, nucleating additives, stabilizers, polymer type, and processing temperature can determine whether the foam is fine and uniform or cracked and irregular. A blowing agent is therefore not just a gas source; it is one member of a coordinated polymer-processing system.

The nitrogen-rich chemistry also explains the safety and process attention required. Thermal decomposition deliberately creates reactive gases, including ammonia, so ventilation, temperature control, and compatibility with the polymer and additives are essential. Modern foam manufacturing often considers physical blowing agents or alternative chemical systems depending on the resin and desired cell structure.

Trihydrazinotriazine is memorable because it turns decomposition into manufacturing. Normally chemists try to stop a material from breaking apart when heated. Here, controlled breakdown is the function: a solid molecule sacrifices itself at the right temperature, releases gas, and leaves behind a polymer that is lighter because millions of microscopic voids have been created inside it.

References:
1. CAS Common Chemistry, Trihydrazinotriazine, CAS 10105-42-7, molecular formula C3H9N9.
2. Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry / plastics additives references, cyanuric trihydrazide as a chemical blowing agent.
3. US4183822A, Blowing agent composition; trihydrazinotriazine gas evolution and foam behavior.
4. Industrial polymer-additive literature on chemical blowing agents and foam processing.

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