The main use of methenamine is in the production of powdered or liquid preparations of phenolic resins and phenolic resin molding compounds, where it is added as a hardening component. These products are used as adhesives, for example, for brake and clutch linings, abrasive products, nonwovens, molded parts produced by molding processes, and as fireproof materials. [4]
Medical uses
The mandelate or hippurate salts[5] are used to treat urinary tract infections. In acidic environments, methylamine is thought to have an antibacterial effect by conversion to formaldehyde. [5][6]
Due to the astringent properties of formaldehyde, methenamine is used as an over-the-counter antiperspirant. [7]
Solid fuels
Methenamine and 1,3,5-trioxane are used as ingredients in methenamine fuel tablets, which are used by campers, hobbyists, the military, and relief organizations to heat camping food or military rations. It burns smokelessly, has a high energy density of 30.0 MJ/kg, and does not liquefy or leave ash when burned, but its smoke is toxic. Standardized 0.149 g tablets of methenamine are used by fire laboratories as a clean and reproducible fire source to test the ignitability of carpets and rugs. [8]
Food additives
Methenamine can be used as a food additive as a preservative (INS number 239). It is approved in the European Union,[9] with the E number E239, but is not approved in the United States, Russia, Australia, or New Zealand. [10]
Organic synthesis
Methenamine is a common reagent in organic synthesis. [11] It can be used in the Duff reaction (formylation of aromatics),[12] the Somme reaction (conversion of benzyl halides to aldehydes),[13] and the Dulepine reaction (synthesis of amines from alkyl halides).[14]
Explosives
Methenamine is a building block in the production of RDX, HMX, HMTD, and C4 explosives.[4]