Thermal analysis techniques, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), can provide valuable insights into thermal properties, intermediate phases, and phase transitions; sometimes even a whole series of compounds appears in a given system. The solid-state reaction pathway from melamine to carbodiimide, monitored by DSC, involves a sequence of chemical reactions and intermediate phases departing from the reaction of potassium hydride and melamine. The fully analyzed reaction cascade begins with the formation of potassium melaminate, K(C 3 N 6 H 5 ), and progresses through several intermediate phases, each with distinct structures and properties, before ultimately yielding β-K 2 (CN 2 ). All crystalline compounds appearing in this reaction sequence are identified using X-ray diffraction analyses. With a 6:1 ratio of potassium hydride and melamine, equal numbers of protic and hydridic hydrogen atoms in the starting materials favor the release of H 2 until the formation of the final product K 2 (CN 2 ), which appears with two modifications.