Chemical information About Urea

Urea is a weak base and a organic compound with the formula CH4N2O. Urea is also called as carbamide which is white crystalline powder. It is highly soluble in water and non-toxic. Urea reacts with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases, and reacts with strong reducing agents to form flammable gases. Urea should be sealed and stored in cool and dry place.

1. Uses of Urea

Urea is used as a nitrogen-release fertilizer in agriculture. In chemical industry it is a raw material for the manufacture of many important chemicals, such as: various plastics, especially the urea-formaldehyde resins; various adhesives, such as urea-formaldehyde or the urea-melamine-formaldehyde used in marine plywood ; potassium cyanate, another industrial feedstock; Urea nitrate, an explosive. And also Urea is used in topical dermatological products to promote rehydration of the skin. If covered by an occlusive dressing, 40% Urea preparations may also be used for nonsurgical debridement of nails. This Urea is also used as an earwax removal aid.

2. Physical properties about Urea

Name:Urea

EINECS:200-315-5

Molecular Formula:CH4N2O

CAS Registry Number:57-13-6 

Synonyms:Carbamide; Carbonyl diamide; Carbonyldiamine; Diaminomethanal; Diaminomethanone; Prespersion, 75 urea; Urea-13C; Ureacin-20; Urepearl;

InChI:InChI=1/CH4N2O/c2-1(3)4/h(H4,2,3,4)

HS Code:31021010

Appearance:White crystalline powder

Molecular Weight:60.05

Density:1.335

Boiling Point:196.6°C at 760mmHg

Melting Point:131-135°C

Flash Point:72.7°C

Storage Temperature:2-8°C

Refractive index:n20/D 1.40

Solubility:1080 g/L (20°C) in water

Stability:Substances to be avoided include strong oxidizing agents. Protect from moisture.

Usage:Microbiocide, fungicide.

Chemical Properties:White crystalline powder 

Usage: Used for the denaturation of proteins and as a mild solubilization agent for insoluble or denatured proteins. Useful for renaturing proteins from samples already denatured with 6 M guanidine chloride such as inclusion bodies. May be used with guanidine hydrochloride and dithiothreitrol (DTT) in the refolding of denatured proteins into their native or active form. 

General Description:Solid odorless white crystals or pellets. Density 1.335 g /cc. Noncombustible. 

Air & Water Reactions: Water soluble. 

Reactivity Profile :Urea is a weak base. Reacts with hypochlorites to form nitrogen trichloride which explodes spontaneously in air . Same is true for phosphorus pentachloride. Urea reacts with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Reacts with strong reducing agents to form flammable gases (hydrogen). The heating of improper stoichiometric amounts of Urea and sodium nitrite lead to an explosion. Heated mixtures of oxalic acid and Urea yielded rapid evolution of gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and ammonia (if hot, can be explosive). Titanium tetrachloride and Urea slowly formed a complex during 6 weeks at 80°C., decomposed violently at 90°C. Urea ignites spontaneously on stirring with nitrosyl perchlorate, (due to the formation of the diazonium perchlorate). Oxalic acid and Urea react at high temperatures to form toxic and flammable ammonia and carbon monoxide gasses, and inert CO2 gas . 

Health Hazard: May irritate eyes. 

Fire Hazard: Behavior in Fire: Melts and decomposes, generating ammonia. 

3. Safety of Urea

When you are using Urea, please be cautious about it: Urea is irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. And limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect. In case of contact with eyes, you should rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Moreover, you should wear suitable protective clothing to avoid contact Urea with skin and eyes.