E239 (Methenamine  or Hexamethylene tetramine) is a heterocyclic organic compound, cyclic tertiary amine.

What it is used for and where

Medical

Methenamine is used as an antibacterial in chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections (1).

Cosmetics

Antimicrobial agent. This ingredient is able to suppress or inhibit the growth and replication of a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses by making the stratum corneum temporarily bactericidal and fungicidal.

Preservative. Any product containing organic, inorganic compounds, water, needs to be preserved from microbial contamination. Preservatives act against the development of harmful microorganisms and against oxidation of the product.

Food

Ingredient listed in the European food additives list as E239, preservative.

Safety

In the human body Methenamine releases ammonia and is converted into formaldehyde.

https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-08/sccs_o_254.pdf

Molecular Formula     C₆H₁₂N₄

Molecular Weight     140.19

CAS  100-97-0

UNII    J50OIX95QV

EC Number   202-905-8    202-905-8    629-509-1

DSSTox ID  DTXSID6020692

IUPAC  1,3,5,7-tetrazatricyclo[3.3.1.1 ^3,7]decane

InChl=1S/C6H12N4/c1-7-2-9-4-8(1)5-10(3-7)6-9/h1-6H2

InChl Key      VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES  C1N2CN3CN1CN(C2)C3

MDL number  MFCD00006895

PubChem Substance ID    24864723

ChEBI  6824

RTECS  MN4725000

Nikkaji       J1.072.370A    J39.765B

ICSC    1228

NSC      757101    26346

UN    1328

NCI    C61841

RXCUI    6832

Metabolomics Workbench    43929

Beilstein    2018

Synonyms:

• Hexamethylenetetramine
• Hexamethylenetet
• Hexamethylene tetramine

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Lee BS, Bhuta T, Simpson JM, Craig JC. Methenamine hippurate for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Oct 17;10(10):CD003265. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003265.pub3.