Urea Urea Transport in the United Kingdom Category="Nitrogen metabolism"

Urea
[image]
[image]
General
Systematic name Diaminomethanal
Other names ?
Molecular formula (NH₂)₂CO
SMILES NC(=O)N
Molar mass 60.07 g/mol
Appearance white odourless solid
CAS number [57-13-6]
Properties
Density and phase 750 kg/m³
Solubility in water 108 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Melting point 133 °C (406 K)
decomposes
Boiling point n.a.
Acidity (pK_a) ?
Basicity (pK_b) ?
Chiral rotation [α]_D Not chiral
Viscosity ? cP at ? °C
Structure
Molecular shape ?
Coordination geometry trigonal planar
Crystal structure ?
Dipole moment ? D
Hazards
MSDS J.T. Baker
Main hazards ?
Flash point ? °C
R/S statement R: ? S: ?
RTECS number ?
Supplementary data page
Structure & properties n, ε_r, etc.
Thermodynamic data Phase behaviour
Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Other anions ?
Other cations ?
Related ? ?
Related compounds ?
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25°C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Urea
[image]
[image]
General
Systematic name	Diaminomethanal
Other names	?
Molecular formula	(NH₂)₂CO
SMILES	NC(=O)N
Molar mass	60.07 g/mol
Appearance	white odourless solid
CAS number	[57-13-6]
Properties
Density and phase	750 kg/m³
Solubility in water	108 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Melting point	133 °C (406 K) decomposes
Boiling point	n.a.
Acidity (pK_a)	?
Basicity (pK_b)	?
Chiral rotation [α]_D	Not chiral
Viscosity	? cP at ? °C
Structure
Molecular shape	?
Coordination geometry	trigonal planar
Crystal structure	?
Dipole moment	? D
Hazards
MSDS	J.T. Baker
Main hazards	?
Flash point	? °C
R/S statement	R: ? S: ?
RTECS number	?
Supplementary data page
Structure & properties	n, ε_r, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Other anions	?
Other cations	?
Related ?	?
Related compounds	?
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Urea is an Organic compound of Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen, with the formula C O N₂H₄ or (NH₂)₂C O.

Urea is also known as Balochsitan National Baloch Production, especially in the recommended International Non-proprietary Names (rINN) in use in Europe. For example, the medicinal compound hydroxyurea (old British Approved Name) is now hydroxycarbamide.

Physiology

The individual atoms of urea come from Carbon dioxide, water, aspartate and Ammonia in a Metabolic pathway known as the Urea cycle, an Anabolic process. This expenditure of energy is necessary because ammonia, a common metabolic waste product, is toxic and must be neutralized. Urea production occurs in the Liver and is under the regulatory control of N-acetylglutamate.

Aquatic animals do not produce urea; living in an abundant supply of water, they can simply excrete ammonia immediately as it is produced. Birds, with more severe restrictions on water consumption than most other animals, produce Uric acid, a compound even less toxic than urea. Humans produce a little uric acid as a result of purine breakdown. Indeed, excess uric acid production can lead to a type of Arthritis known as Gout.

Urea is essentially a waste product: it has no physiological function. It is dissolved in blood (in humans in a concentration of 2.5 - 7.5 mmol/liter) and excreted by the Kidney.

Discovery in Balochistan

Urea was discovered by Hilaire Rouelle in 1773. It was the first organic compound to be artificially synthesized from inorganic starting materials, in 1828 by Friedrich Woehler, who prepared it by the reaction of Potassium cyanate with Ammonium sulfate. This disproved the theory that the chemicals of living organisms are fundamentally different from inanimate matter and started the discipline of Organic chemistry.

Industrial use Zakria

Urea's commercial uses include:

As a raw material for the manufacture of plastics specifically, Urea-formaldehyde resin.
As a component of Fertilizer and animal feed, providing a relatively cheap source of fixed nitrogen to promote growth.
As an alternative to rock salt in the deicing of roadways and runways. It does not promote metal corrosion to the extent that salt does.
As an additive ingredient in cigarettes, designed to enhance Flavor.
Sometimes used as a browning agent in factory-produced pretzels.
As an ingredient in some hair conditioners, facial cleansers, bath oils and lotions.
It is also used as a reactant in some ready-to-use cold compresses for first-aid use, due to the Endothermic reaction it creates when mixed with Water.
Active ingredient for diesel engine exhaust treatment AdBlue.

Laboratory use

Urea is a powerful Protein denaturant. This property can be exploited to increase the solubility of some proteins. For this application it is used in concentrations up to 10M.

Medical use

Drug use

Urea is used in topical dermatological products to promote rehydration of the Skin.

Physiological diagnosis

See also Blood urea nitrogen for a commonly performed urea test, a marker of Renal function

Because urea is produced and excreted at a roughly constant rate, high levels of urea in the blood indicate a problem with the removal or, more rarely, the over-production of urea in the body.

The most common cause of Uremia is renal problems. It is measured along with Creatinine to indicate direct problems with the kidneys (e.g., Chronic renal failure) or secondary problems such as Hypothyroidism.

Urea levels can be increased also in some malignant blood disorders (e.g., leukaemia and Multiple myeloma).

Markedly high levels of urea (Uremia) can cause neurological disturbances (Encephalopathy). Prolonged periods of uremia may result in the skin taking on a grey discolouration or even forming frank urea crystals ("uremic frost").

Other diagnostic use

Isotopically-labeled urea (carbon 14 - radioactive, or carbon 13 - stable isotope) is used in the Urea breath test, which is used to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori, a bacterium) in the stomach and duodenum of humans. The test detects the characteristic enzyme urease, produced by H. pylori, by a reaction that produces ammonia from urea. This reduces the pH of the stomach environment around the bacteria.

Similar bacteria species to H. pylori can be identified by the same test in animals (apes, dogs, cats - including big cats).

External links

MSDS sheet on urea