Using the Melamine Contamination of Foods To Enhance the Chemistry Classroom

An introduction to the chemistry of the triazine compound, melamine, is presented as well as a brief discussion of the health impacts on humans and pets when melamine contaminates milk products and pet food. Melamine has repeatedly been in the news, and its topical nature provides an excellent springboard for applications of a variety of chemical principles, including titration, dilution, stoichiometry, and gas laws, as well as structure of organic molecules. A sample calculation is included to illustrate possible applications and subsequent calculations are available in the supporting information. The topics are suitable for courses at a variety of levels: high school, college nonmajors, general chemistry, and organic or analytical chemistry.