Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-10 Origin: Site
In the realm of nitrogen-based chemical compounds, dicyandiamide (also known as 2-cyanoguanidine) occupies a position of critical importance. As a dimer of cyanamide, this white crystalline compound is an essential building block in industries ranging from water treatment and pharmaceuticals to epoxy resin curing and fertilizer stabilization. For B2B professionals, engineers, and chemists, understanding the physical properties of this substance is not merely a matter of academic interest but a practical necessity for optimizing manufacturing workflows and ensuring product efficacy. One of the most vital physical constants for any chemical intermediate is its solubility, which dictates how it will interact with solvents in a reactive environment.
Dicyandiamide exhibits a temperature-dependent solubility profile, being only slightly soluble in water at room temperature (approximately 32 g/L to 41 g/L at 25°C) but showing significantly increased solubility in hot water and polar organic solvents like liquid ammonia, dimethylformamide (DMF), and certain alcohols. This characteristic makes it a versatile reagent that can be precisely controlled in aqueous or organic solvent systems depending on the thermal parameters applied during the synthesis of pharmaceuticals or the formulation of specialized industrial resins.
The precise manipulation of dicyandiamide solubility is the key to its success in high-performance applications. Whether it is being used as a nitrification inhibitor in agricultural soils or as a curing agent in carbon fiber composites, the way dicyandiamide dissolves and disperses determines the quality of the final output. In the following sections, we will explore the technical data surrounding its solubility in various media, the impact of temperature on its saturation points, and how leading global suppliers like Beilite ensure the purity of dicyandiamide to maintain consistent performance in global supply chains.
Physical Properties and Molecular Structure of Dicyandiamide
Water Solubility of Dicyandiamide at Varying Temperatures
Solubility of Dicyandiamide in Organic Solvents
Practical Implications of Solubility in Industrial Applications
Quality Standards and Sourcing from Beilite
Conclusion: Optimizing Processes with Dicyandiamide
Dicyandiamide is a non-volatile, white crystalline solid with a molecular formula of $C_2H_4N_4$, characterized by a stable guanidine structure that influences its moderate polarity and resulting solubility behavior in different chemical environments.
At a molecular level, dicyandiamide consists of a cyanoguanidine group. This structure is relatively stable under normal conditions but becomes reactive at elevated temperatures, particularly when used as a latent curing agent. The presence of four nitrogen atoms in a relatively small molecule gives dicyandiamide a high nitrogen content (about 66%), which is why it is so valuable in fertilizer and flame retardant applications. Its crystal structure is monoclinic, and it typically presents as a fine white powder or granules.
The polarity of dicyandiamide is a defining factor for its solubility. Because it contains both polar amino groups and a nitrile group, it has a strong affinity for polar solvents. However, the internal hydrogen bonding within the crystal lattice is quite strong, which explains why it does not dissolve instantly in cold water. This latent solubility is actually a beneficial feature in many industrial processes, allowing for the creation of stable "one-part" epoxy systems where the dicyandiamide remains as a dispersed solid until the system is heated to the activation temperature.
Understanding the melting point is also essential when discussing solubility. Dicyandiamide has a melting point of approximately 209°C to 212°C. Below this temperature, its behavior in a solution is governed strictly by the solvent's ability to break down the crystalline bonds. As a leading manufacturer, Beilite focuses on producing dicyandiamide with a high degree of crystalline uniformity, which ensures that the dissolution rates remain predictable for B2B customers operating in high-precision sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals.
The solubility of dicyandiamide in water is highly sensitive to temperature, increasing from a modest 3.2% by weight at 20°C to over 25% as the temperature approaches the boiling point of water.
For most aqueous applications, such as water treatment or the synthesis of metformin, the temperature of the solvent is the primary lever used to control dicyandiamide concentration. In cold or room-temperature water, dicyandiamide dissolves slowly and only to a limited extent. This property is utilized in agriculture, where dicyandiamide is applied to soil as a nitrification inhibitor; its slow dissolution ensures a sustained release effect, preventing nitrogen loss over an extended period.
As the temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the water molecules becomes sufficient to disrupt the crystalline lattice of the dicyandiamide more effectively. This results in a steep solubility curve. For industrial chemists, this means that concentrated solutions of dicyandiamide must be handled at elevated temperatures to prevent crystallization in pipes or storage tanks. The following table provides a reference for the saturation points of dicyandiamide in water:
| Temperature (°C) | Solubility (g per 100g of H2O) | Solubility (approx. wt%) |
| 0 | 1.3 | 1.28% |
| 13 | 2.2 | 2.15% |
| 20 | 3.2 | 3.10% |
| 25 | 4.1 | 3.94% |
| 50 | 11.5 | 10.31% |
| 80 | 45.0 | 31.03% |
| 100 | 80.0 | 44.44% |
This data illustrates that while dicyandiamide is technically "slightly soluble" at room temperature, it can be highly concentrated in hot aqueous systems. Manufacturers who source from Beilite often utilize these thermal properties to create specialized masterbatches or liquid formulations. It is important to note that the purity of the dicyandiamide can slightly alter these values, as impurities may act as nucleation sites for premature crystallization.
Dicyandiamide shows varying degrees of solubility in organic solvents, being highly soluble in liquid ammonia and polar aprotic solvents like DMF, moderately soluble in alcohols, and virtually insoluble in non-polar solvents like ether or benzene.
In many advanced chemical syntheses, an aqueous environment is not ideal. Therefore, the solubility of dicyandiamide in organic media is of great interest. Liquid ammonia is one of the most effective solvents for dicyandiamide, which is a fact often leveraged in the production of specialized guanidine salts. Alcohols such as methanol and ethanol also show some capacity to dissolve dicyandiamide, though much less than hot water. This selective solubility allows for the separation of dicyandiamide from other reaction by-products during industrial purification.
The lack of solubility in non-polar solvents like hydrocarbons or ethers is a defining characteristic of dicyandiamide. This behavior is due to the high polarity of the molecule and its ability to form hydrogen bonds, which non-polar solvents cannot accommodate. In the coatings and adhesives industry, dicyandiamide is often used as a micronized powder suspended in resin precisely because it does not dissolve in the organic resin base at room temperature. This creates a "latent" effect where the dicyandiamide only reacts once the temperature is raised to the point where it either melts or dissolves into the surrounding matrix.
For B2B applications in the electronics sector, where dicyandiamide is used in copper-clad laminates, the choice of solvent (often DMF or Methyl Cellosolve) is critical. These solvents allow for a uniform distribution of the dicyandiamide curing agent within the resin. Beilite provides high-purity dicyandiamide that is specifically tested for low impurity levels, ensuring that when it is dissolved in these organic solvents, it does not leave residues that could interfere with the electrical properties of the final circuit board.
The specific solubility characteristics of dicyandiamide enable its use as a latent curing agent in adhesives, a stabilized nitrogen source in fertilizers, and a controlled reactant in the synthesis of pharmaceutical guanidines.
In the epoxy resin industry, the "slight solubility" of dicyandiamide at room temperature is its most valuable asset. It allows for the production of pre-impregnated (prepreg) materials and one-component adhesives that can be stored for months at room temperature. When the user applies heat (typically above 150°C), the dicyandiamide particles dissolve or melt into the resin, triggering the curing reaction. Without this specific solubility behavior, the rapid curing would make it impossible to produce many modern aerospace and automotive components.
In the pharmaceutical sector, the solubility of dicyandiamide is critical for the synthesis of metformin, a leading medication for type 2 diabetes. The reaction is typically carried out in a solvent where both the dicyandiamide and the amine reactant can be brought into close contact. By manipulating the solvent system and temperature, manufacturers can achieve high yields and high purity. Because metformin is a widely used drug, the cost-efficiency of using dicyandiamide as a precursor—facilitated by its predictable solubility—is a major benefit for global healthcare.
For water treatment applications, dicyandiamide is often reacted with formaldehyde to create a liquid polymer. The solubility of the starting dicyandiamide in the reaction water is a bottleneck for production speed. Manufacturers who use Beilite products benefit from a consistent particle size distribution, which promotes faster and more uniform dissolution during the manufacturing of these water-clearing agents. This ensures that the resulting flocculants are of a consistent molecular weight, leading to better performance in removing dyes and suspended solids from industrial effluent.
Sourcing high-quality dicyandiamide from an established manufacturer like Beilite ensures that B2B customers receive a product with consistent solubility, low ash content, and high purity levels exceeding 99.5%.
In industrial chemistry, the "minor" impurities can have a major impact on solubility and reaction kinetics. Beilite (Ningxia Beilite Chemical Cyanamide Development Co., Ltd.) has invested heavily in advanced purification and crystallization technologies. By controlling the cooling rates and the purity of the precursor cyanamide, Beilite produces dicyandiamide that is free from excessive amounts of calcium salts or other inorganic impurities. This results in a product that dissolves clearly and predictably, which is a requirement for sensitive applications like electronics-grade resins and pharmaceutical intermediates.
The facility at Beilite is one of the largest in the world, with a production capacity that supports the global supply chain across multiple continents. Their commitment to international quality standards, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, provides B2B buyers with the assurance that every batch of dicyandiamide will perform as expected. For companies located in the United States or Europe, sourcing from a vertically integrated supplier like Beilite—which manages the entire process from raw calcium carbide to refined dicyandiamide—minimizes risk and ensures long-term supply stability.
Furthermore, Beilite offers different grades of dicyandiamide tailored to specific solubility needs. For example, micronized grades are available for applications requiring rapid dispersion in resins, while larger granular forms are provided for agricultural uses where a slower dissolution rate is desired. This level of customization, backed by professional technical support, makes Beilite the preferred choice for enterprises looking to optimize their use of dicyandiamide in complex formulations.
The solubility of dicyandiamide is far more than a simple number on a technical data sheet; it is a versatile tool that allows for incredible precision in chemical engineering. By understanding how temperature and solvent choice influence the saturation and dissolution of this compound, manufacturers can unlock new efficiencies in their production lines. Whether you are seeking a latent curing agent for advanced composites or a robust intermediate for life-saving pharmaceuticals, the thermal-solubility profile of dicyandiamide is the key to performance.
As we have explored, the journey of dicyandiamide from a slightly soluble crystalline solid at room temperature to a highly reactive and soluble intermediate at higher temperatures is what makes it a modern industrial "game-changer." The ability to exist as a stable, inactive powder in one state and a powerful reactant in another is a rarity in the chemical world. When this inherent property is matched with the high-purity production standards of a leader like Beilite, the results are products that are safer, more efficient, and more reliable.
In summary, for any B2B enterprise operating in the chemical sector, a deep understanding of dicyandiamide solubility is a competitive advantage. It allows for better formulation design, more efficient energy usage during dissolution, and higher quality control over the final product. By choosing a partner who understands these nuances and provides a high-standard crystalline product, you ensure that your innovations are built on a foundation of chemical excellence.