Halamine water disinfectants

This review includes a general discussion of N‐halamine compounds which function as biocides in water. Advantages and limitations of the compounds as compared to free chlorine and other disinfectants are presented. The discussion addresses N‐halamines which are, or have been, in commercial use, but special emphasis will be placed upon two new classes of N‐halamine compounds (oxazolidinones and imidazolidinones) which are under intensive study in the laboratories of the authors. These new N‐halamine compounds are considerably more stable in water than previous ones; the factors dictating their enhanced stabilities are discussed. Potential applications for the new compounds are also addressed.