Triazine

A triazine is class of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The parent molecules' molecular formula is C₃H₃N₃. They exist in three isomeric forms, 1,3,5-triazines being common.

Structure

The triazines have planar six-membered benzene-like ring but with three carbons replaced by nitrogens. The three isomers of triazine are distinguished by the positions of their nitrogen atoms, and are referred to as 1,2,3-triazine, 1,2,4-triazine, and 1,3,5-triazine. Other aromatic nitrogen heterocycles are pyridines with one ring nitrogen atom, diazines with 2 nitrogen atoms in the ring and tetrazines with 4 ring nitrogen atoms.

Uses

The best known triazines are derivatives of the 1,3,5-triazine derivatives melamine and cyanuric chloride (2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine). With three amino substituents melamine is a precursor to commercial resins. Another triazine extensively used in resins is benzoguanamine. Chlorine-substituted triazines are components of reactive dyes. These compounds react through a chlorine group with hydroxyl groups present in cellulose fibres in nucleophilic substitution, the other triazine positions contain chromophores. Triazine compounds are often used as the basis for various herbicides.