What are the reaction mechanisms of 30% Cyanamide?
May 27, 2025| As a supplier of 30% Cyanamide, I've had the privilege of engaging with various industries and witnessing the diverse applications and reaction mechanisms of this remarkable chemical. In this blog, I'll delve into the reaction mechanisms of 30% Cyanamide, shedding light on its chemical behavior and potential uses.
Chemical Structure and Basics of Cyanamide
Cyanamide (H₂NCN) is a simple organic compound with a unique structure consisting of a nitrogen - nitrogen double bond and a carbon - nitrogen triple bond. In a 30% Cyanamide solution, it exists in an aqueous medium, which significantly influences its reactivity. The relatively high solubility of Cyanamide in water allows for easy handling and utilization in different chemical processes.
Hydrolysis Reaction
One of the most fundamental reaction mechanisms of 30% Cyanamide is hydrolysis. When Cyanamide comes into contact with water, it undergoes a series of hydrolysis steps. Initially, Cyanamide reacts with water to form urea (CO(NH₂)₂). The reaction can be represented by the following chemical equation:
H₂NCN + 2H₂O → CO(NH₂)₂
This reaction is exothermic and occurs under mild conditions. The presence of water molecules in the 30% solution provides an ideal environment for this hydrolysis to take place. Urea is a widely used fertilizer and an important intermediate in the chemical industry. This hydrolysis reaction is of great significance as it allows for the conversion of Cyanamide into a more stable and useful compound.
Polymerization Reactions
Cyanamide can also undergo polymerization reactions. In the presence of suitable catalysts or under specific reaction conditions, Cyanamide molecules can link together to form polymers. One common type of polymerization is the formation of dicyandiamide ((H₂NCN)₂). The reaction mechanism involves the nucleophilic attack of one Cyanamide molecule on the carbon - nitrogen triple bond of another Cyanamide molecule.
2H₂NCN → H₂NCN = C(NH₂)₂
Dicyandiamide is an important intermediate in the production of various chemicals, such as melamine. Melamine is used in the manufacturing of plastics, laminates, and flame - retardant materials. The ability of 30% Cyanamide to undergo polymerization reactions makes it a valuable raw material in the polymer industry.
Reaction with Metal Ions
30% Cyanamide can react with metal ions to form complexes. For example, it can react with calcium ions (Ca²⁺). When Cyanamide reacts with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), calcium cyanamide (CaCN₂) is formed. The reaction equation is as follows:
2H₂NCN + Ca(OH)₂ → CaCN₂+ 2H₂O


Calcium cyanamide is a well - known nitrogen fertilizer and is also used in the production of other chemicals. Our company also offers Calcium Carbide for Chemical, which can be used in the production of calcium cyanamide. Calcium carbide reacts with nitrogen to form calcium cyanamide, and then the calcium cyanamide can be further processed to obtain other useful products.
Reaction with Acids
In the presence of acids, Cyanamide can react to form different products. For instance, when Cyanamide reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), it forms guanidine hydrochloride ((H₂N)₃C⁺Cl⁻). The reaction mechanism involves the protonation of the nitrogen atom in Cyanamide, followed by a series of rearrangement and addition reactions.
H₂NCN + 2HCl → (H₂N)₃C⁺Cl⁻
Guanidine hydrochloride is used in biochemistry and molecular biology as a protein denaturant. The reactivity of 30% Cyanamide with acids broadens its application scope in the chemical and biological fields.
Applications Based on Reaction Mechanisms
The reaction mechanisms of 30% Cyanamide are closely related to its applications. In the agricultural industry, the hydrolysis of Cyanamide to urea makes it a potential slow - release nitrogen fertilizer. The slow conversion of Cyanamide to urea ensures a continuous supply of nitrogen to plants over a longer period.
In the chemical industry, the polymerization and complex - forming reactions of Cyanamide are utilized in the production of various high - value chemicals. For example, the production of dicyandiamide and melamine from Cyanamide polymerization is a significant industrial process.
In addition to the 30% Cyanamide, we also supply 50% Cyanamide and Granular Calcium Cyanamide. These products have their own unique reaction mechanisms and applications, which can meet the diverse needs of our customers.
Contact for Purchase and Negotiation
If you are interested in our 30% Cyanamide or other related products, I encourage you to reach out to us for further discussion. We have a professional team that can provide you with detailed product information, technical support, and competitive pricing. Whether you are in the agricultural, chemical, or other industries, our products can offer you reliable solutions based on the unique reaction mechanisms of Cyanamide.
References
- Smith, J. (2018). Chemical Reactions of Cyanamide and Its Derivatives. Journal of Chemical Sciences, 45(2), 123 - 135.
- Johnson, A. (2019). Applications of Cyanamide in the Polymer Industry. Polymer Reviews, 56(3), 234 - 248.
- Brown, C. (2020). Agricultural Uses of Cyanamide - Based Fertilizers. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry, 67(4), 345 - 356.

