Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is a concentrated chlorinated isocyanurate that releases available chlorine when introduced into water.
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione functions as an oxidizing, chlorinating, disinfecting, sanitizing, and bleaching agent in water-treatment, industrial, institutional, and chemical-synthesis applications.
Product selection requires careful consideration of available-chlorine content, moisture, particle form, dissolution behavior, regulatory authorization, and compatibility with other materials.
CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND COMMON NAMES
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is the fully N-chlorinated derivative of isocyanuric acid.
The molecular structure contains a symmetrical six-membered ring with three carbonyl groups and three nitrogen-bound chlorine atoms.
Hydrolysis releases hypochlorous acid, which provides the principal antimicrobial and oxidative activity, together with cyanuric acid.
Each mole can theoretically generate three moles of hypochlorous acid under suitable aqueous conditions.
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is distinct from sodium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate, dichloroisocyanuric acid, cyanuric acid, and cyanuric chloride.
The legacy name isocyanuric chloride should not cause confusion with cyanuric chloride, which is a different compound with CAS Number 108-77-0.
Synonyms and Common Names: Trichloroisocyanuric Acid, Trichlorocyanuric Acid, Trichloroisocyanurate, Symclosene, Symclosen, TCCA, TCICA, TICA, Isocyanuric Chloride, N,N',N''-Trichloroisocyanuric Acid, 1,3,5-Trichloroisocyanuric Acid, 1,3,5-Trichloro-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione, 1,3,5-Trichloro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione, 1,3,5-Trichloro-s-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, Trichloro-s-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, 1,3,5-Trichloro-2,4,6-triazinetrione, 1,3,5-Trichloro-2,4,6-trioxohexahydro-s-triazine, Trichloroiminocyanuric Acid
TECHNICAL IDENTIFICATION
Chemical Name: Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione
Chemical Family: Chlorinated isocyanurates
Chemical Type: N-chlorinated heterocyclic oxidizer
CAS Number: 87-90-1
EC Number: 201-782-8
Molecular Formula: C3Cl3N3O3
Molecular Weight: 232.41 g/mol
InChIKey: YRIZYWQGELRKNT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Transport Identification: UN 2468
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance: White crystalline powder, granules, flakes, lumps, or compressed tablets
Physical State: Solid
Odor: Mild to pungent chlorine-like odor
Available Chlorine: Theoretical value of approximately 91.5%, with commercial grades commonly specified at 90% minimum
Density: Approximately 2.07 g/cm3
Bulk Density: Approximately 0.50–1.00 g/mL, depending on powder, granular, or compacted form
Water Solubility: Approximately 1.2 g/100 mL at 25 °C
Solution pH: Commonly approximately 2.7–3.3 for a 1% aqueous solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible under normal ambient conditions
Log Pow: Approximately 0.26
Decomposition Temperature: Above approximately 225 °C
Boiling Point: Not applicable because decomposition occurs before boiling
Flash Point: Not applicable
Combustibility: Not combustible but strongly enhances the combustion of other materials
Oxidizing Properties: Strong oxidizer
Moisture Sensitivity: Slightly hygroscopic and reactive when contaminated with moisture
Dry Stability: Relatively stable when pure, dry, cool, and protected from incompatible materials
Available chlorine expresses oxidizing capacity relative to molecular chlorine and is not the same as elemental chlorine mass percentage.
The specified value should be supported by an agreed analytical method and lot-specific result.
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione provides a high concentration of available chlorine in a dry and transportable form.
Contact with water establishes equilibria involving hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite, chlorinated isocyanurates, and cyanuric-acid species.
Hypochlorous acid is generally the most active antimicrobial species produced during hydrolysis.
The proportion present depends strongly on pH, while treatment efficiency is also affected by temperature, organic loading, ammonia, contact time, and cyanurate concentration.
Cyanurate formed during use can protect free chlorine from rapid ultraviolet degradation in outdoor water.
Repeated dosing can nevertheless cause cyanuric acid to accumulate and reduce the practical activity of a measured free-chlorine residual.
The acidic character of the aqueous solution can gradually lower the pH and consume alkalinity.
Treatment programs therefore require simultaneous monitoring of free chlorine, total chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and cyanuric acid rather than chlorine measurement alone.
The three nitrogen-bound chlorine atoms allow Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione to function as a chlorine-transfer and oxidation reagent in chemical synthesis.
Reaction selectivity depends on solvent, water content, temperature, substrate structure, catalyst, concentration, and addition rate.
PRODUCTION AND COMMERCIAL FORM
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is commonly produced through controlled chlorination of cyanuric acid or an alkaline cyanurate intermediate.
The manufacturing process requires close control of chlorine addition, temperature, pH, mixing, and reaction completion because chlorination is strongly exothermic.
The solid product is separated from the aqueous process medium, washed or purified as necessary, dried, classified by particle size, and packaged under moisture-controlled conditions.
Residual moisture, soluble salts, incomplete chlorination, insoluble matter, and particle-size distribution can influence storage stability and application performance.
Powder grades provide rapid dissolution and high surface area but create greater dust and segregation risks.
Granular grades offer improved flow, reduced dust, and adjustable dissolution characteristics for feeders and industrial dosing systems.
Compressed tablets provide unit dosing and slower release in compatible feeders.
Tablet weight, diameter, density, hardness, friability, surface integrity, and dissolution rate are important purchasing parameters.
Technical products and formulated tablets must be distinguished clearly.
A formulated product may contain binders, flow aids, scale-control ingredients, dissolution modifiers, or other components that alter assay, compatibility, hazard classification, and application performance.
APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIES
Swimming Pools and Spas
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione supplies stabilized available chlorine for controlling bacteria, algae, and other susceptible microorganisms in swimming pools and spas.
Granules may be selected for relatively rapid treatment, while larger compressed tablets are commonly used in compatible slow-release feeders.
Dosing must be based on the authorized product label, pool volume, measured residual, bather load, water temperature, sunlight exposure, and chlorine demand.
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione should not be placed in feeders, skimmers, or dosing equipment contaminated with another chlorinating product.
Regular use contributes cyanuric acid and can gradually lower pH and alkalinity.
Water-management programs should therefore monitor stabilizer accumulation and correct the overall balance rather than increasing the chlorine dose without diagnosis.
Industrial Cooling-Water Systems
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione provides oxidizing biocidal activity in compatible recirculating cooling towers, evaporative condensers, heat-exchanger circuits, air-washer systems, and related industrial-water installations.
Controlled dosing helps limit microbial slime, biofilm development, odor, and biological fouling.
Treatment efficiency depends on oxidant demand, pH, retention time, system metallurgy, corrosion control, blowdown, and the location of the dosing point.
Established deposits may require mechanical cleaning or a separately validated remediation program because oxidant dosing alone may not penetrate mature biofilms effectively.
Wastewater and Effluent Treatment
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione serves as a concentrated chlorine source for microbial control and oxidation in selected wastewater, sewage, and process-effluent systems.
Potential applications include final disinfection, odor control, oxidation of reduced compounds, and treatment of susceptible biological contaminants.
Dosage must account for ammonia, organic matter, suspended solids, contact time, residual-chlorine limits, and possible chlorinated by-product formation.
Discharge should not occur until applicable residual-oxidant and environmental requirements have been satisfied.
Surface and Equipment Sanitation
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione can function as an active ingredient in authorized disinfectant or sanitizer formulations for compatible institutional, commercial, food-processing, dairy, beverage, and animal-care environments.
Potential treatment methods include wiping, mopping, immersion, spraying, circulation, and clean-in-place application when permitted by the product authorization.
Effective sanitation normally requires preliminary removal of fats, proteins, scale, and other soils that consume available chlorine.
Concentration, contact time, rinsing requirements, surface compatibility, temperature, and reuse limitations must follow the approved directions.
Raw Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione should not automatically be treated as a ready-to-use disinfectant or food-contact sanitizer.
A high chemical assay does not replace formulation authorization, efficacy validation, correct dilution, or compliant labelling.
Laundry and Textile Processing
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione provides oxidative bleaching and destaining action in products designed for chlorine-tolerant white fabrics.
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is generally unsuitable for many colored, delicate, elastane-containing, protein-based, or chlorine-sensitive textiles.
Controlled chlorination can also support selected wool-treatment and textile-processing operations.
Excessive dosage or poor pH control can cause yellowing, strength loss, surface damage, or uneven treatment.
Pulp and Paper Processing
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione can provide available chlorine for selected bleaching, slime-control, and process-water applications where chlorine-based oxidation is technically and legally appropriate.
Performance evaluation should include brightness, viscosity, fiber integrity, corrosion, residual chlorine, and wastewater effects.
Agricultural and Animal-Facility Sanitation
Authorized formulations may be used in selected agricultural-water, equipment, animal-housing, hatchery, and processing-facility sanitation programs.
Use on crops, feed-contact equipment, eggs, drinking-water systems, or animal-contact surfaces requires specific authorization and strict observance of concentration, contact-time, residue, and rinsing requirements.
Organic Synthesis
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione functions as a weighable solid chlorinating and oxidizing reagent in laboratory and specialty chemical synthesis.
Potential transformations include controlled chlorination, N-chlorination, oxidation of selected alcohols and sulfur compounds, oxidative cyclization, and preparation of reactive chlorinated intermediates.
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione can simplify chlorine-equivalent dosing compared with direct handling of gaseous chlorine.
This practical advantage does not eliminate the need for calorimetry, compatibility assessment, controlled addition, ventilation, quenching studies, and emergency planning.
Analytical and Research Applications
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is used as a reference substance in methods for chlorinated isocyanurates and in research involving active-chlorine chemistry.
Laboratories may evaluate chemical assay, available chlorine, hydrolysis behavior, dissolution, occupational-air samples, reaction kinetics, and degradation to cyanuric acid.
GRADE SELECTION AND PRODUCT SUITABILITY
A standard water-treatment grade is commonly selected by available-chlorine content, moisture, pH, insoluble matter, particle form, and dissolution behavior.
A designation such as TCCA 90 normally refers to approximately 90% available chlorine and should not be interpreted automatically as 90% chemical assay.
Powder grade is appropriate when rapid dissolution or chemical reaction is required and a controlled dust-handling system is available.
Granular grade is preferable when improved flow, reduced dust, feeder performance, or a defined dissolution profile is important.
Tablet grade requires suitable compression behavior and a verified additive package in addition to chemical assay.
Tablet weight, dimensional tolerance, hardness, friability, dissolution rate, storage stability, and packaging integrity should be included in the specification.
Reagent grade is appropriate for laboratory synthesis and analytical development requiring a defined chemical purity and impurity profile.
Reference-standard applications may additionally require assigned purity, uncertainty, traceability, expiry, and controlled storage.
Biocidal or pesticidal suitability depends on product registration, authorized use, formulation, concentration, label directions, and jurisdiction.
Technical material must not be promoted or applied as a finished antimicrobial product unless the applicable legal requirements have been fulfilled.
Food-processing, potable-water, veterinary, agricultural, or medical applications require specific regulatory and technical assessment.
Neither nominal purity nor available-chlorine content alone establishes suitability for these controlled uses.
FORMULATION AND PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione must never be dry-blended or contaminated with another chlorinating product unless compatibility has been demonstrated through a professionally engineered process.
Particularly hazardous combinations can involve calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite residues, ammonium compounds, ammonia, amines, urea, reducing agents, strong acids, strong alkalis, combustible materials, oils, grease, and reactive organic substances.
Contact with acids can release toxic chlorine-containing gas.
Contact with ammonia, ammonium salts, or amines can generate hazardous chloramines and may contribute to formation of unstable nitrogen trichloride.
Small amounts of water entering stored bulk material can produce localized dissolution, heat generation, decomposition, toxic gas, pressure, and fire.
Water must never be poured into a storage container or onto an uncontrolled pile of spilled material.
Where solution preparation is authorized, Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione should be introduced gradually into an adequate volume of clean, circulating water using dedicated equipment.
The vessel, feeder, transfer tools, and surrounding area must be free from residues of incompatible chemicals.
Firefighting strategy must follow the current product-specific Safety Data Sheet and site emergency plan.
Large quantities of water may be specified for emergency cooling or flooding from a protected distance, even though limited water intrusion into stored material can initiate dangerous decomposition.
Tablet binders, lubricants, coatings, colorants, fragrances, surfactants, and flow aids must be screened for oxidizer compatibility.
An additive acceptable in an ordinary tablet may be unsafe when concentrated, milled, compressed, heated, or stored with Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione.
High organic or ammonia loading rapidly consumes available chlorine and may generate irritating chlorinated species.
Jar testing, chlorine-demand measurement, ventilation assessment, and residual monitoring are important before implementing an industrial treatment program.
Solutions can be corrosive to metals, coatings, elastomers, and electrical components.
Storage and dosing systems should use validated materials, avoid dead zones, and prevent backflow of contaminated water into dry-product containers.
QUALITY, SPECIFICATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION
A procurement specification should define whether the product is technical material, powder, granules, tablets, formulated tablets, reagent grade, or analytical-reference material.
The specification should also identify the intended application because critical quality parameters vary substantially among chlorination, tableting, controlled dissolution, and organic synthesis.
Available chlorine is commonly measured through an appropriate iodometric titration.
The purchase agreement should state the analytical method, minimum value, reporting basis, and whether the result applies to the active material or the complete formulation.
Important routine parameters include available chlorine, moisture, solution pH, water insolubles, particle-size distribution, bulk density, appearance, and odor.
Tablet products may additionally require individual weight, dimensions, hardness, friability, dissolution rate, compression density, and visual-defect limits.
Process-sensitive applications may require limits for cyanuric acid, dichloroisocyanurates, chloride, soluble salts, metals, residual alkali, and other manufacturing impurities.
Organic synthesis may require a chemical-purity assay and impurity profile in addition to an available-chlorine result.
A Certificate of Analysis should report actual lot results for the agreed critical parameters.
The Technical Data Sheet should describe representative properties, while the Safety Data Sheet should communicate hazards, incompatibilities, emergency procedures, transport classification, and disposal requirements.
Buyers should confirm the required regulatory declarations, product authorization, origin information, shelf life or retest period, batch traceability, packaging approval, and transport documentation before ordering.
Changes in formulation additives, tablet dimensions, particle size, production route, or analytical method should be controlled when they can affect customer performance.
SAFETY AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is a strong oxidizer that can intensify fire even though the pure substance is not itself readily combustible.
Heating, contamination, confinement, or contact with incompatible substances can cause rapid decomposition, pressure generation, toxic fumes, fire, or explosion.
Dust is harmful if swallowed and can severely irritate the respiratory tract.
Significant inhalation exposure may cause delayed pulmonary edema, so symptoms that initially appear mild require careful medical evaluation.
Direct contact can irritate the skin and cause serious eye damage.
Wet material and concentrated solutions may produce more severe local effects because they release acidic, oxidizing chlorine species.
Decomposition or reaction with incompatible chemicals can release chlorine, hydrogen chloride, chloramines, and other toxic gases.
Workers must not rely on odor as the primary exposure warning.
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is very toxic to aquatic organisms.
Product, spills, wash water, firefighting runoff, and concentrated solutions must be prevented from entering drains, soil, surface water, or untreated effluent systems.
Antimicrobial, disinfectant, sanitizer, algaecide, and fungicide claims are regulated in many jurisdictions.
The permitted organisms, sites, concentrations, contact times, rinsing directions, and disposal procedures must correspond to an authorized product label.
Dry Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is commonly transported as UN 2468, Trichloroisocyanuric Acid, Dry, Hazard Class 5.1, Packing Group II.
The final transport classification, packaging instruction, segregation requirement, quantity exemption, and documentation must be confirmed for the supplied composition, transport mode, and destination.
FIRST AID
Inhalation: Move the exposed person to fresh air immediately, keep them at complete rest, and obtain urgent medical attention because respiratory injury and pulmonary edema may be delayed.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse the affected skin with plenty of water, continue washing thoroughly, and obtain medical attention for irritation, pain, or burns.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with clean water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses when easy, continue rinsing, and obtain immediate medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, and contact emergency medical or poison-information services immediately.
Note to Medical Personnel: Treat symptomatically, avoid unvalidated chemical neutralization, monitor respiratory function, and consider delayed pulmonary edema following dust or gas exposure.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling: Use dedicated, clean, dry equipment and prevent dust generation, moisture intrusion, contamination, impact, friction, and uncontrolled mixing.
Ventilation: Provide effective local exhaust at charging, tableting, sampling, repacking, and solution-preparation points.
Personal Protection: Select protective gloves, chemical splash goggles, face protection, protective clothing, and suitable respiratory protection through a documented risk assessment.
Hygiene: Remove contaminated clothing promptly and prohibit eating, drinking, and smoking in handling and storage areas.
Storage: Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area protected from sunlight, heat, moisture, and unauthorized access.
Segregation: Separate from acids, alkalis, ammonia, ammonium salts, amines, reducing agents, combustible materials, organic chemicals, oils, grease, and other chlorinating products.
Fire Control: Maintain an application-specific emergency plan and use the firefighting method specified in the current Safety Data Sheet from a protected location.
Spill Control: Isolate the area, prevent contamination and moisture contact, collect dry material into clean compatible containers, and never return spilled product to the original package.
Waste Management: Dispose of contaminated material and packaging through an authorized hazardous-waste route without mixing them with organic, ammoniacal, acidic, or reducing waste.
PACKAGING AND PROCUREMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione requires clean, dry, oxidation-resistant packaging with an effective moisture barrier.
Compatible plastic drums, pails, lined fibre drums, or approved bags within protective outer packaging may be used when they satisfy product and transport requirements.
Packaging must protect the product from humidity, contamination, physical damage, and contact with incompatible cargo.
Packages should not be reused for another chemical, and damaged, swollen, hot, wet, or contaminated containers require immediate specialist assessment.
Tablet packaging should prevent breakage, abrasion, dust formation, and moisture uptake during storage and transport.
Granular and powder packaging should also account for flow properties, electrostatic behavior, liner integrity, and safe discharge into dosing equipment.
Procurement documents should specify net quantity, package type, pallet configuration, moisture barrier, dangerous-goods compliance, lot structure, shelf life, storage conditions, and required documentation.
The supplier and buyer should also agree whether the material is intended for further formulation, direct use under an authorization, controlled industrial treatment, or chemical synthesis.
Ataman Kimya can support buyers in selecting Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione according to available-chlorine specification, powder, granular or tablet form, dissolution requirements, documentation, packaging, regulatory status, and intended water-treatment or industrial application.
To discuss a product-specific enquiry, contact Ataman Kimya at +90 216 577 10 10 or info@atamankimya.com.