CALCIUM CYANAMSDE An old chemical that merits a new look Back i n 1835, t h e first cyanamide salt was prepared. Then, for m a n y years, cyanamide and its salts remained î s b o r s t o r v c h e m i c s l s until· cslcium cvH!i?-rnide «y^inod prominence as a basic chemical providing a m m o n i a to fertilize farm land for Europe's expanding population. Since then, C a N C N h a s been t h e starting point for iiteraiiy hundreds of compounds, b u t today it is sometimes overlooked i n searches for new ones. A s a n economical, basic raw material, cyanamide, v i a calcium cyanamide, should have a definite place in your research program.
What
/rvnsNTfr •jrvvi g> Η ΐ Π ' Ί
ί^ΙϊΜΐΐΐΓΐΙ
ÎitfANftMlllï
w i l l it d o ?
Addition reactions of the nitrile group
P NH H2NCN + CH3NH2 *-H 2 N - C - NHCH3 This reaction is o n e of t h e well-known series with ammonium salts and amines yielding guanidine salts and substituted guanidines. Such products are utilized frequently i n production of insecticides, fungicides, d y e stuffs, and explosives. Among other chemicals which react with cyanamide b y addition t o the nitrile group are: water - aliphatic alcohols and phenols · hydrazines amino acids and amino alcohols · dicyanamides . amides cyanates and isocyanates · nitriles . olefins · aldehydes organic acids · and many others.
Substitution reactions of the amino group 2CH 3 I + CaNCN ^ (CHahNCN + Cafe Diakyl cyanamides can be prepared b y the reaction of alkyl halides and calcium cyanamide, usually in an alcoholic medium. Other substitutions of t h e amino group take place with: acid anhydrides . diazonium salts ketones · esters - cyanogen halides · cyanides · metais.
American Cyanamid Company Process Chemicals Department 3 0 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 2 0 , Ν. Υ.
Degradation reactions 500-600 c
*-2NaGCN + CaO Formation of a n alkali cyanate occurs when calcium cyanamide i s heated with a t least a n equivalent of an alkali carbonate* Other degradation reactions include oxidation, reduction, and reactions with carboniferous compounds · sulfur and sulfides · boric a c i d . nitrous oxide.
Na 2 C0 3 + CaNCN
•'.' 'if y&ù do\nat~iiàve'a copy :'*of our booklet; yse'f/i/i-cot/pbnv
Yes, I ' d like to take a new look at Cyanamide. Please send me your booklet. Name. Company. Address —Zone
City
For additional information, your Process Chemicals salesman is t h e m a n y o u need. Contact him now.
State.
Position. In Canada: Cyanamid of Canada Limited
APRIL
13,
1959 C&EN
