Cyanurates

Cyanurates are a class of chemical compounds derived from cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid is a cyclic molecule with the formula C3H3N3O3. Cyanurates are essentially salts or esters of this acid. They are characterized by a six-membered ring containing alternating nitrogen and carbon atoms, with oxygen atoms attached to the carbon atoms.

Inorganic cyanurates are salts where the acidic hydrogen atoms of cyanuric acid have been replaced by metal ions. For example, sodium cyanurate is a common inorganic cyanurate. These salts are often used in industrial applications and as chemical intermediates.

Organic cyanurates, also known as isocyanurates, are esters of cyanuric acid. In these compounds, the hydrogen atoms are replaced by organic groups. They are formed through reactions between cyanuric acid or its derivatives and alcohols or other organic compounds. Organic cyanurates find applications in polymers, coatings, and as flame retardants due to their thermal stability.

A well-known application of cyanuric acid derivatives is in swimming pool sanitation. Cyanuric acid itself is often added to pool water to stabilize chlorine. It acts as a sunscreen for the hypochlorous acid, preventing it from being rapidly degraded by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This allows chlorine to remain in the water longer, providing effective disinfection. The interaction between cyanuric acid and chlorine forms chlorinated isocyanurates, which are also used as disinfectants. These compounds release hypochlorous acid, the active sanitizing agent, in a controlled manner.