An Insight of the Reactions of Amines with Trichloroisocyanuric Acid.

The reaction between amines or a-aminoacids with trichloroisocyanuric acid is studied under various conditions: N,N- dichloroamines, nitriles and ketones can be obtained from primary amines, while free aminoacids undergo oxidative decarboxylation to the corresponding nitrile of one less carbon atom. Trichloroisocyanuric acid, TCCA, belongs to the large group of N-chloroimides and amides that are used as bleaching agents, disinfectants, and bactericides owing to their function as chlorinating agents and oxidants. 1 Their properties are similar to those of N-chloroamines, which, however, are less stable. A few of them are also common- ly used as chlorinating reagents and oxidants in organic synthesis: since chloroamines are easier to handle than chlorine gas or metal hypochlorites, they are widely used in organic synthesis in addition to their use in the purifi- cation of water or as sanitizing agents, for example, in swimming pools.