High-yield synthesis and characterisation of a potential chelating agent 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine-N,N,N',N',N ,N -hexaacetic acid

A useful and potential chelating agent, 2,4,6-triannino-1,3,5-triazine-N,N,N',N',N",N"-hexaacetic acid (melamine hexaacetic acid), was synthesised by nucleophilic substitution through three steps and its structure was confirmed by IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and elemental analyses. The chelation value of melamine hexaacetic acid was determined, by calcium oxalate titration. In comparison with EDTA, melamine hexaacetic acid has better chelating ability.