cyanuurzuur

Cyanuurzuur is the common name for 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione, an organic compound with the chemical formula C3H3N3O3. It is a white, crystalline solid that is sparingly soluble in water but soluble in some organic solvents. Cyanuurzuur is a cyclic trimer of cyanic acid.

This compound is primarily known for its use as a stabilizer for chlorine in swimming pools. When added to pool water, cyanuurzuur reacts with chlorine to form chlorinated isocyanurates. These compounds release chlorine slowly over time, protecting it from degradation by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Without cyanuurzuur, free chlorine in a pool would dissipate very quickly under sunlight, requiring frequent and larger additions of chlorine to maintain sanitation.

Cyanuurzuur itself is not a disinfectant. Its function is solely to protect the active disinfecting agent, which is free chlorine. Elevated levels of cyanuurzuur can, however, reduce the effectiveness of chlorine, as it binds to some of the free chlorine. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate concentration of cyanuurzuur is important for effective pool water chemistry. It is typically sold in granular or tablet form.