Chem. [f. TRI- 5 a + AMIDE.) A compound in which the three acid hydroxyls (OH) of a tribasic acid are replaced by three amidogen groups (NH2): the hydrogen of the amidogen groaps may be replaced by metals or by one or more monovalent radicals; e.g., citramide, C3H4(OH)(CO.NH2)3, the triamide of citric acid, C3H4(OH)(CO.OH)3; cyanuramide or melamine, C3N3(NH2)3, the triamide of cyanuric acid, C3N3(OH)3. For the earlier view of the structure of triamides, see quot. 1863–72.
1862. Miller, Elem. Chem. (ed. 2), III. 427. As an instance of a secondary triamide, phenylcitramide may be given.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 173. Primary Triamides.—They represent 3 molecules of ammonia, in which 3 atoms of hydrogen are replaced by a triatomic acid-radicle:—Phosphamide … N3. (PO)″′. H6.
1866. W. Odling, Anim. Chem., 19. C3N2(H2N)3 Cyanuric triamide.
