formaldehyde - Sciencemadness Dot Org

27S FORMALDEHYDE
show monobasic characteristics. Spatial models showing this structure
indicate that although it is less symmetrical than the Duden and Scharff
structure, the general atomic configuration may be similar. The chief
difference beiween the two structures lies in the fact that the atomic forces
and the distances between atoms are not uniform in the Losekann structure.
Since the symmetry of the Duden and Scharff structure is probably lost
when one of the nitrogen atoms becomes pentavalent, it is possible that the
Losekann structure gives us a picture of this change.
The structure first assigned to hexamethylenetetrainine by Butlerov 15 ,
together with structures postulated by Guareschi 51 , Van't Hoff 113 and
Dominildewicz 54 are shown below:
Mechanism of Heiametiylenetetrainine Formation. Hexamethylenetetramine
was probably first prepared in 1859 by Butlerov 14 by reaction of
gaseous ammonia and paraformaldehyde (Btffclerov's "dioxymethylene").
As a. result of further study, Butlerov 15 later identified it as possessing the
empirical formula, CJBEaNi, and suggested the structural formula shown
above. Preparation of hexamethylenetetramine by reaction of formaldehyde
and ammonia in aqueous solution was reported by Hofmann 60 in 1869.