hexamethylenetetramine

[hek-suh-meth-uh-leen-te-truh-meen]

noun

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C 6 H 12 N 4 , used as a vulcanization accelerator, an absorbent in gas masks, in the manufacture of the explosive RDX and synthetic resins, and in medicine as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic.

hexamethylenetetramine

/ ˌhɛksəˌmɛθɪliːnˈtɛtrəˌmiːn /

noun

1. Also called: hexamine.  methenamine. a colourless crystalline organic compound used as a urinary antiseptic. Formula: C 6 H 12 N 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of hexamethylenetetramine¹

First recorded in 1885–90; hexamethylene + tetr(a)- + -amine

Example Sentences

The investigators, who released their final report last week, said they had found a chemical called hexamethylenetetramine from environmental samples in Ghouta, the Damascus suburb that was the site of the deadliest attack, on Aug. 21.

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