<i>N</i>‑Methylmelamines: Synthesis, Characterization, and Physical Properties Manuela List Helmut Puchinger Herbert Gabriel Uwe Monkowius Clemens Schwarzinger 10.1021/acs.joc.6b00355.s001 https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/_i_N_i_Methylmelamines_Synthesis_Characterization_and_Physical_Properties/3257179 <i>N</i>-Methylmelamines have recently gained importance as valuable compounds for manufacturing modified melamine formaldehyde resins and other polymer building blocks. A great advantage of these polymers is the reduction of the carcinogenic formaldehyde. Selecting the polymerization processes (e.g., substance polymerization, polymerization in solution) and controlling the polymerization reaction and properties of these novel materials requires knowledge of the properties of the individual melamine derivatives used as new building blocks. All possible permutations of <i>N</i>-methylmelamines were prepared, and reaction progress was monitored by GC/MS. 2,4,6-Tris­(dimethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine was prepared to complete the series; this is, however, also a possible byproduct in various synthesis routes. The reaction conditions were optimized to obtain high yields of each derivative with the highest possible purity. The substances were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, physical properties, such as solubility, melting points, and p<i>K</i><sub>b</sub> values, were determined. The number of amino-, methylamino-, and dimethylamino groups has a significant effect on these properties. In summary, we found that by increasing the number of amino- and methylamino groups, solubility and p<i>K</i><sub>b</sub> increase. With increasing number of amino groups, the compounds tend to form hydrogen bonds, and thus, the melting point shifts to higher temperature ranges where they start to decompose. 2016-04-21 00:00:00 Methylmelamine polymerization processes melamine derivatives solubility GC compound dimethylamino groups mass spectrometry temperature ranges form hydrogen bonds novel materials polymerization reaction IR spectroscopy building blocks Physical Properties N reaction progress NMR reaction conditions melamine formaldehyde resins p K b increase methylamino groups synthesis routes polymer building blocks point shifts p K b values