The complex is held together by an extensive two-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds between the two compounds, reminiscent of the guanine–cytosine base pairs found in DNA.

[2] Melamine cyanurate forms spoke-like crystals from aqueous solutions [3] and has been implicated as a causative agent for toxicity seen in the Chinese protein export contamination and the 2007 pet food recall.

[4] Melamine cyanurate is used as a flame retardant, most commonly in polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide 6 (nylon 6) and polyamide 6,6 (nylon 6:6).

[6] LD50 in rats and mice (ingested): A toxicology study conducted after recent pet food recalls concluded that the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid in diet does lead to acute kidney injury in cats.

[7] A 2008 study produced similar experimental results in rats and characterized the melamine and cyanuric acid in contaminated pet food from the 2007 outbreak.