Amino‐formaldehyde resins. Analysis by application of a mannich type reaction

The formation of Mannich bases from secondary aliphatic amines and primary alkoxymethyl compounds of urea and melamine in basic media have been studied. The rate of formation of the Mannich base is equal to the rate of decomposition of the alkoxymethyl compound. This is explained by a reaction of the amine with the Schiff base, the intermediate formed during the alkoxymethyl decomposition. In a mixture of primary alkoxymethyl and hydroxymethyl compounds of urea and melamine, the amine reacts almost selectively with the alkoxymethyl compound. An analytical method for the determination of primary dimethylene ether groups of primary alkoxymethyl groups in mixture with hydroxymethyl groups is developed.