98% Oxamide CAS 471-46-5

What is oxamide? What are its industrial applications?

1. What is Oxamide?

Oxamide, also known as oxalamide (or oxalyl diamine), is a dicarboxylic acid diamide formed by the amidation of the two carboxyl groups of oxalic acid. It is an important nitrogen-containing organic compound in agriculture and chemical industries, and its chemical formula is usually written as:

C2H4N2O2 ((CONH2)2, CAS No.: 471-46-5, EINECS No.: 207-442-5, molecular weight approximately 88.07)

It is a white crystalline powder at room temperature, slightly soluble in water, and insoluble in common organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. It has a melting point of approximately 419℃ (with simultaneous decomposition) and a nitrogen content as high as approximately 31.8%, making it one of the amide compounds with the highest nitrogen content. Industrially, it is prepared via routes such as the pyrolysis of ammonium oxalate or oxidative coupling with hydrogen cyanide.

Structurally, the two amide groups (-CONH2) in the oxalamide molecule are symmetrically connected, which can slowly hydrolyze and release ammonia (NH3) in soil and water. This "slow-release ammonia source" characteristic makes it an ideal slow-release nitrogen fertilizer; at the same time, its high nitrogen content and thermal stability also endow it with the function of flame retardant.

Chemically, oxalamide is stable, slightly soluble in water, and sparingly soluble in organic solvents. During biodegradation, it gradually decomposes, releasing ammonia and carbon dioxide, which are harmless to the environment. It should be stored in a sealed, moisture-proof container.

Industrial-grade oxalamide refers to products intended for industrial applications such as slow-release fertilizers, explosives stabilizers, and polymer additives.Typical specifications call for a content of 98%+. Industrial-grade products place more emphasis on the following indicators:

1. Nitrogen content

Nitrogen content is a core indicator for slow-release nitrogen The key index of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer is the nitrogen content, which determines the total amount of fertilizer released and must be strictly tested.

2. Moisture

Moisture content affects product storage stability, granulation performance and fertilizer release, and must be strictly controlled.

3. Ash content of ignition residue

Ash content is the total amount of inorganic impurities, which has a great effect on product purity and application efficiency and should be controlled in a reasonable range.

4. Melting point (decomposition temperature)

Melting point is a standard factory inspection indicator reflecting the purity and thermal stability of the product and shall be controlled within the indicated range.

5. Solubility and Particle Size

The product should be slightly soluble and granulated as required. The particle size influences the rate of slow-release of the fertilizer and the dispersability of the formula and must be uniform between batches.

6. Heavy metal content

Products used as fertilizers must have heavy metal content controlled within legal limits to ensure agricultural safety.

What are the uses of industrial-grade Oxamide?

Industrial-grade oxamide, with its unique properties of "high nitrogen content, slow release, and thermal stability," is widely used in agriculture, polymer science, and fine chemicals. All its applications are detailed below:

1. Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (core application in agriculture)

Oxalide slowly hydrolyzes in water and soil to release ammonium nitrogen, making it an ideal slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. It can improve fertilizer utilization, reduce the number of fertilizations, and reduce the harm of nitrogen loss to water resources. It has been widely promoted in the United States and China and is mainly used for long-term fertilization of field crops and cash crops.

2. Flame retardants for polymer materials (plastics and rubber industry)

Oxalide is used as an additive flame retardant for polymer materials such as plastics and rubber. When heated, it decomposes to release nitrogen-containing gas and form a char layer, which helps to improve the flame retardancy of the material. It is widely used in wires and cables, electronic devices and building materials.

3. Organic synthesis intermediates (fine chemical industry)

Oxalide is an important building block for the synthesis of diamides, used to synthesize nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as pyrimidines, oxazoles, and triazines. It is an important organic chemical raw material for the production of pesticide and dye intermediates.

It should be noted that industrial-grade specifications do not equate to "risk-free": while oxamide is harmless to the environment, the dust from industrial-grade products may cause respiratory irritation, so protective equipment should be worn and ventilation should be maintained during operation; industrial-grade products are strictly prohibited from being ingested, and waste liquid must be disposed of in accordance with regulations.

Summarize

Oxamide, also known as oxalamide (oxalamide diamine, C2H4N2O2, CAS No. 471-46-5, EINECS No. 207-442-5), is a white crystalline powder, slightly soluble in water, with a melting point of approximately 419℃ (decomposes). Due to its high nitrogen content of approximately 31.8% and its slow-release hydrolysis ammonia-depleting properties, it has become an important nitrogen-containing organic compound in agriculture and the chemical industry. In daily life, we encounter it through the cultivation of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and through the production of plastic and rubber products. In industry, oxamide is widely used in slow-release nitrogen fertilizers (agriculture), flame retardants for polymer materials (plastics and rubber), organic synthesis intermediates (fine chemicals), and pesticide intermediates (pesticide chemicals), making it a multi-field nitrogen-containing chemical that connects "amide chemistry" with "agriculture, polymers, and fine chemicals."