Urea CAS No. 57-13-6

Product Description

Urea is a white crystalline solid with high solubility in water and a melting point of 132.7°C. It is primarily produced through the Bosch-Meiser process, involving the reaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide, followed by the decomposition of ammonium carbamate. Urea is predominantly used as a nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture, providing a high nitrogen content (46% N) to promote plant growth. It is also used in slow-release fertilizers, urea-ammonium nitrate solutions, and as a non-protein nitrogen source in animal feed. In industry, urea is utilized in the production of urea-formaldehyde resins for adhesives and plastics, as well as in diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue) to reduce NOx emissions. Additionally, it serves as a moisturizing agent in cosmetics and skincare products. In laboratory and medical settings, urea acts as a denaturing agent in electrophoresis and is used in diagnostic tests for kidney function. Despite its low toxicity, urea can contribute to environmental issues such as water pollution and ammonia volatilization. Recent studies have explored its role in urea-assisted hydrogen production and its transport mechanisms in plants, highlighting its versatility and importance across various fields.

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Product Use & Characteristics

Properties

• Appearance: White crystalline solid

• Solubility: Highly soluble in water (1079 g/L at 20°C)

• Melting Point: 133–135 °C (271–275 °F)

• Density: 1.32 g/cm³

• Molecular Formula: CH₄N₂O

• Molecular Weight: 60.056 g/mol

• IUPAC Name: Urea

• Non-toxic: Generally low toxicity, but inhalation of dust can irritate respiratory tracts

Synthesis Methods

• Industrial Synthesis: Primarily produced via the Bosch-Meiser process, which involves two main steps:

  1. Ammonia (NH₃) and Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Reaction:

     NH3 +CO2 →NH2 COONH4

  2. Decomposition of Ammonium Carbamate:

     NH2 COONH4 →CO(NH2 )2 +H2 O

Uses

• Agriculture:

  • Nitrogen Fertilizer: Provides a high nitrogen content (46% N), promoting plant growth.

  • Slow-Release Fertilizers: Coated urea granules reduce nitrogen loss.

  • Urea-Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) Solutions: Liquid fertilizers.

• Industrial Applications:

  • Adhesives & Plastics: Used in urea-formaldehyde resins (e.g., plywood, particleboard).

  • Automotive: Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF, AdBlue®) to reduce NOx emissions (SCR technology).

  • Cosmetics & Skincare: Moisturizing agent in creams/lotions (e.g., urea creams for dry skin).

  • Animal Feed: Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source for ruminants.

• Laboratory & Medical Uses:

  • Denaturing Agent: In electrophoresis (urea disrupts hydrogen bonds in proteins).

  • Diagnostic Tests: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test for kidney function.

Environmental & Safety Concerns

• Hydrolysis: Urea breaks down into ammonia and CO₂ in soil (can lead to volatilization losses).

• Water Pollution: Excess urea runoff contributes to eutrophication.

• Urea Toxicity: Generally low toxicity, but inhalation of dust can irritate respiratory tracts.

Interesting Facts

• First Synthesized Artificially: By Friedrich Wöhler in 1828, marking the birth of organic chemistry.

• NOx Reduction Systems: Used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems in diesel vehicles to reduce NOx emissions.

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