Cyanamide

Description

Cyanamide · CAS 420-04-2 · CH2N2. UNII 21CP7826LC. Boiling Point: 83; Boiling Point: 140 °C at 19 mm Hg; Boiling Point: at 0.067kPa: 83 °C.

Identification

CAS Registry Number	420-04-2
PubChem CID	9864
Molecular formula	CH2N2
IUPAC name	cyanamide
UNII (FDA)	21CP7826LC

Computed Descriptors

Molecular Weight	42.040
XLogP3	-0.3
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count	1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count	2
Rotatable Bond Count	0
Exact Mass	42.021798072
Monoisotopic Mass	42.021798072
Topological Polar Surface Area	49.8
Heavy Atom Count	3
Formal Charge	0

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point	83
Boiling Point	140 °C at 19 mm Hg
Boiling Point	at 0.067kPa: 83 °C
Melting Point	113 °F (NIOSH, 2024)
Melting Point	44
Melting Point	45-46 °C
Melting Point	44 °C
Melting Point	113 °F
Melting Point	45.56 °C
Flash Point	286 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

Physical description & handling notes

• Cyanamide appears as colorless deliquescent crystals. Mp: 45 °C; bp: 260 °C. Density: 1.282 g cm-3. Quite soluble in water (77 g / 100 g solution at 15 °C). Soluble in butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, alcohols, phenols, amines, ethers. Note: The term "cyanamide" is also used to refer to the important compound calcium cyanamide, which is a different chemical.
• Dry Powder
• Deliquescent, crystalline solid; [CHEMINFO]
• COLOURLESS HYGROSCOPIC DELIQUESCENT CRYSTALS.
• Crystalline solid.
• Orthorhombic, elongated, six-sided tablets from dimethyl phthalate

GHS Hazard Classification

Reported hazard statements	H301, H311, H314, H317, H318, H351, H373, H412

Documented Uses

• Used in the organic synthesis of dicyandiamide in melamine manufacturing; also used in fumigants, metal cleaners, ore refining, and synthetic rubber production; [ACGIH]
• Metal Extraction and Refining [Category: Industry]
• Early post-emergence control of broad-leaved weeds in alliums (onions, leeks, chives, shallots, and garlic) and bulb flowers. Also used to remove side shoots and inhibit sprouting in hops and vines.
• Agrochemistry: Cyanamide is used as a plant growth regulator and budbreaking agent (Dormex) to compensate for the lack of frost and to improve the budbreak of grapes and other fruit crops in areas with mild winters. Cyanamide has a significant fungicidal and herbicidal potential and is used in pig farming to overcome sanitary problems related with the pig manure.
• Cyanamide is the key raw material for many herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. It is used to produce the herbicides Amitrol and Hexazinone and builds up the pyrimidine or 1,3,5-triazine subunit for a vast number of sulfonylurea herbicides like Bensulfuron or Metsulfuron methyl. The benzimidazole fungicides Carbendazim and Benomyl and the pyrimidine fungicides Cyprodinil, Pyrimethanil, and Mepanipyrim are based on cyanamide, as well as the pyrimidine insecticides Bupyrimate and Dimethirimol and neonicotinoids
• For more Uses (Complete) data for Cyanamide (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Synonyms

CYANAMIDE; 420-04-2; Hydrogen cyanamide; Amidocyanogen; Carbamonitrile; Cyanoamine; aminoformonitrile; Cyanogenamide; Alzogur; Cyanogen nitride; N-Cyanoamine; TsAKS; NH2CN; USAF EK-1995; NSC 24133; Carbodiamide

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the CAS number and molecular formula of Cyanamide?

CAS 420-04-2; molecular formula CH2N2; molecular weight — g/mol.

What other names is Cyanamide known by?

CYANAMIDE, 420-04-2, Hydrogen cyanamide, Amidocyanogen, Carbamonitrile, Cyanoamine.

Is Cyanamide classified as hazardous?

Hazard statements reported: H301, H311, H314, H317, H318.

What are the key physical properties of Cyanamide?

Boiling Point: 83; Boiling Point: 140 °C at 19 mm Hg; Boiling Point: at 0.067kPa: 83 °C; Melting Point: 113 °F (NIOSH, 2024).

Facts on this page are taken from PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) and Wikidata. Grade-specific data — assay, moisture, particle size, packaging, shelf life — is issued per batch on the COA and is not published here.