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Concept
Trimer (chemistry)
Summary
In chemistry, a trimer (ˈtraɪmər; ) is a molecule or polyatomic anion formed by combination or association of three molecules or ions of the same substance. In technical jargon, a trimer is a kind of oligomer derived from three identical precursors often in competition with polymerization.
In 1866, Marcellin Berthelot reported the first example of cyclotrimerization, the conversion of acetylene to benzene. This process was commercialized:
Symmetrical 1,3,5-triazines are prepared by trimerization of certain nitriles such as cyanogen chloride or cyanimide.
Cyanogen chloride and cyanogen bromide each trimerize at elevated temperatures over a carbon catalyst. The chloride gives cyanuric chloride:
The bromide has an extended shelflife when refrigerated. Like the chloride, it undergoes ab exothermic trimerisation to form cyanuric bromide. This reaction is catalyzed by traces of bromine, metal salts, acids and bases. For this reason, experimentalists avoid brownish samples.
An industrial route to cyanuric acid entails the thermal decomposition of urea, with release of ammonia. The conversion commences at approximately 175 °C:
3 H2N-CO-NH2 -> [C(O)NH]3 + 3 NH3
The endothermic synthesis of melamine can be understood in two steps.
First, urea decomposes into cyanic acid and ammonia in an endothermic reaction:
(NH2)2CO -> HOCN + NH3
Then in the second step, cyanic acid polymerizes to form cyanuric acid, which condenses with the liberated ammonia from the first step to release melamine and water.
3 HOCN -> [C(O)NH]3
[C(O)NH]3 + 3 NH3 -> C3H6N6 + 3 H2O
This water then reacts with cyanic acid present, which helps drive the trimerization reaction, generating carbon dioxide and ammonia.
3 HOCN + 3 H2O -> 3 CO2 + 3NH3
In total, the second step is exothermic:
6 HCNO + 3 NH3 -> C3H6N6 + 3 CO2 + 3NH3
but the overall process is endothermic.
The 1,5,9-trans-trans-cis isomer of cyclododecatriene, which has some industrial importance is obtained by cyclotrimerization of butadiene with titanium tetrachloride and an organoaluminium co-catalyst:
Cyclotrimerization of formaldehyde affords 1,3,5-Trioxane:
1,3,5-Trithiane is the cyclic trimer of the otherwise unstable species thioformaldehyde.
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