As a reagent in
organic synthesis,
s-triazine is used as the equivalent of
hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Being a solid (vs a gas for HCN), triazine is sometimes easier to handle in the laboratory. One application is in the
Gattermann reaction, used to attach the
formyl group to aromatic substrates.
Triazine derivatives N- and
C-substituted triazines are used industrially. The most common derivative of 1,3,5-triazine is 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine, commonly known as
melamine or cyanuramide. Another important derivative is 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triol better known as
cyanuric acid.
Cyanuric chloride (2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine) is the starting point for the manufacture of many
herbicides such as
Simazine and
atrazine. Chlorinated triazines are the basis of an important family of
reactive dyes, which are covalently attached to cellulosic materials. Triazines are also found in
pharmaceutical products. ==References==