Urea

HCID 1176CAS 37955-36-5

Basic information

Standard SMILES
NC(N)=O
InChIKey
XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molecular formula
CH4N2O
Average molar mass
60.056 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass
60.03236275

Overview

Urea appears as solid odorless white crystals or pellets. Density 1.335 g /cc. Noncombustible.

Names & identifiers

Preferred name
Urea
IUPAC
urea
English name
polyurea
Molecular formula
CH4N2O
Molecular weight
60.06

Names & synonyms

urea57-13-6carbamideCarbonyldiamideUreophilCarbonyldiamineUreaphilKeratinaminUrevertAlphadrateAquadrateCarbaderm
Show more names
polyureaTIANFU-CHEM polyurea
PastaronUrepearlCarbonyl diamideCarbamide resinUltra MideVarioform iiAqua CareHarnstoff

Database identifiers

CAS
37955-36-5、4744-36-9、57-13-6
PubChem CID
1176
DTXSID
DTXSID4021426
ChEMBL
CHEMBL985
ChEBI
CHEBI:16199
UNII
8W8T17847W
EC Number
200-315-5、682-045-1
Nikkaji
J2.322A

Properties

Computed structural properties

XLogP
-1.4
Topological polar surface area
69.1 Ų
Hydrogen bond donors
2
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1
Rotatable bonds
0
Heavy atoms
4

Experimental & physicochemical properties

Chemical ClassesNitrogen Compounds -> Other Nitrogen Compounds
Drugs · 2 items

Pharmaceuticals -> Metabolite of Hydroxycarbamide

Pharmaceuticals -> Listed in ZINC15

Cosmetics · 2 items

Cosmetic ingredients (Urea) -> CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review)

Antistatic; Humectant; Skin conditioning

pH7.2 (10% solution)
SpringerMaterials PropertiesCoriolis coupling
FragrancesFragrance Ingredient (Urea) -> IFRA transparency List

Physicochemical properties

Indirect Additives used in Food Contact Substances
POLYUREA

Safety & regulation

GHS classification

GHS Classification · 4 items

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 96.1% (4430 of 4611) of all reports.

Not Classified

Aggregated GHS information provided per 4611 reports by companies from 23 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

Not Classified

Hazard information

Regulatory Information · 6 items

Chemical: Urea

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2229/2004

Urea is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Urea are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Reg. (EU) 2022/708, 2008/127, Reg. (EU) 2017/195, Reg. (EU) 2018/155, Reg. (EU) 2020/1160, Reg. (EU) 2021/745, Reg. (EU) 2023/1446, Reg. (EU) 2024/839, Reg. (EU) No 540/2011, Reg. (EU) No 597/2012

Status: Active Update: 05-05-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/16152

Urea: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

Other Safety InformationIMAP assessments - Urea: Human health tier I assessment
Fire Hazards · 2 items

Behavior in Fire: Melts and decomposes, generating ammonia. (USCG, 1999)

Not combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.

Fire PotentialNONCOMBUSTIBLE
Health HazardsMay irritate eyes. (USCG, 1999)
Hazards SummaryA skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] An eye irritant; [CAMEO]

Safety & protection

Fire Fighting · 2 items

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water (USCG, 1999)

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

First Aid Measures · 4 items

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Rest.

First Aid · 1 item

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

Safe StorageSeparated from incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers.
Cleanup Methods · 2 items

Water Spill: Contain by damming, water diversion or natural barriers. Remove and treat contaminated liquids. Absorb small amounts of liquid spill with natural or synthetic sorbents, shovel into containers and cover.

If urea is spilled in solid form, shovel material into containers and cover. Construct barriers to contain solutions or divert to impermeable holding area. Remove material by manual or mechanical means.

Nonfire Spill Response · 1 item

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

Toxicology

Interactions · 4 items

A case of sudden collapse after the intra-amniotic injection of 5 mg dinoprostone (Prostaglandin E2) and 40 g urea for pregnancy termination in a 36 yr old woman after the diagnosis of fetal Down's syndrome is reported. Within one minute of injection of a test dose of one mg of dinoprostone, the patient collapsed. Intravenous injections of 100 mg hydrocortisone and 10 mg chlorpheniramine maleate were administered and the patient was given oxygen by a face mask. Within 10 minutes blood pressure had returned to 110/68 mm Hg, and after a further 15 minutes pulse rate was normal.

TREATMENT OF GUINEA PIGS WITH UREA INCR THE EFFECT OF THEIR SUBSEQUENT SENSITIZATION WITH EPOXY RESIN (EGK-19) OR K2CR207. UREA TREATMENT INCR PERCENTAGE OF ANIMALS SENSITIZED BY EPOXY RESINS FROM 50-87%. UREA ALONE DID NOT SENSITIZE SKIN.

The hemolytic action on human red blood cells (RBC) and the aggregations of human and rat red blood cells in the presence of sodium alginate were studied. Sodium alginate had no hemolytic action on human red blood cells. Human and rat red blood cells showed a marked aggregation by sodium alginate in a neutral medium. Sodium alginates having larger molecular weights showed more pronounced activities for aggregation of red blood cells as compared with those having smaller molecular weights, and the aggregation of red blood cells increased with an increase in the concentration of sodium alginate. The aggregation was inhibited by urea, suggesting the aggregation of red blood cells is caused by hydrogen bonding. When sodium alginate was added to human or rat blood rouleaux formation of red blood cells covered with fibrin net was observed in the coagulation cruor (blood clot).

Osmotic diuretics (mannitol, urea) decrease the effect on serum lithium level; significant increase in lithium excretion. /Lithium-drug interactions; from table/

Ecotoxicity Values · 3 items

Toxicity threshold: Scenedesmus quadricauda (green algae) >10,000 mg/l, toxic effect: multiplication inhibition of cell. /Time not specified/

Toxicity threshold: Entosiphon sulcatum (protozoa) >29 mg/l, toxic effect: inhibition of cell multiplication. /Time not specified/

Toxicity threshold: Pseudomonas putida >10,000 mg/l; toxic effect: inhibition of cell multiplication. /Time not specified/

Environmental Fate · 3 items

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a Koc value of 8(2) indicates that urea is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of urea from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(3) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.74X10-12 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) determined from its vapor pressure, 1.20X10-5 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 5.45x10+5 mg/l(5). Urea is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(4). Various field and laboratory studies have demonstrated that urea degrades rapidly in most soils(6-8). Urea is rapidly hydrolyzed to ammonium ions through soil urease activity(6) which produces volatile gases, i.e., ammonia and carbon dioxide(9). In a variety of soils, the hydrolysis may near completion within 24 hrs(7). However, the rate of hydrolysis can be much slower depending upon the soil type, moisture content, and urea formulation(6). For example, increasing the pellet size of urea fertilizers can decrease the rate of urea decomposition from days to weeks(6). In a study examining the fate of soil-applied urea, a major part (e.g., 22-49%) of the applied urea was lost in gaseous form (e.g., ammonia or N2O)(10). Although soil adsorption studies have demonstrated that urea adsorbs very weakly to soil(11); only a minor part was leached out of soil (<1%) in this study(10). Roughly one third (eg, 26-43%), however, was incorporated into soil organic matter(10).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a Koc value of 8(2), indicates that urea is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.74X10-12 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) determined from its vapor pressure, 1.20X10-5 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 5.45X10+5 mg/l(5). According to a classification scheme(6), BCF values of 1(7) and <10(8) suggest the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Urea is rapidly hydrolyzed to ammonia and carbon dioxide in environmental systems by the extracellular enzyme, urease, which originates from microorganisms and plant roots(9). The degradation of urea was examined in a river die-away study using various river waters and test conditions(10). At 20 °C, degradation of urea was complete within 6-14 days of incubation, while at lower temperatures (e.g., 4-12 °C) little or no degradation occurred in 10-14 days(10). Abiotic hydrolysis of urea occurs very slowly in relation to biotic hydrolysis(11).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), urea, which has a vapor pressure of 1.2X10-5 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere(SRC). Vapor-phase urea is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 9.6 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.00X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Particulate-phase urea may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC).

Exposure RoutesThe substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
Toxicity SummarySafe in the present practices of use and concentration. Ingredient, concentration, and use information are available in documents discoverable at https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org
Signs and Symptoms · 4 items

Cough. Shortness of breath. Sore throat.

Redness.

Redness.

Convulsions. Headache. Nausea. Vomiting.

Regulatory information

FDA RequirementsSubstance added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
FIFRA Requirements · 5 items

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA, as amended in 1988, were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern and List D pesticides of less concern. Urea is found on List D. Case No: 4096; Pesticide type: antimicrobial; Case Status: No products containing the pesticide are actively registered ... The case /is characterized/ as "cancelled." Under FIFRA, pesticide producers may voluntarily cancel their registered products. EPA also may cancel pesticide registrations if registrants fail to pay required fees or make/meet certain reregistration commitments, or if EPA reaches findings of unreasonable adverse effects.; Active ingredient (AI): Urea; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide products ... "cancelled."

Residues of urea are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a stabilizer, inhibitor in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.

Urea is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a adjuvant/intensifier for herbicides in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only.

Urea is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a stabilizer, inhibitor in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to animals.

An exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is established for residues of the frost protectant urea in or on the following raw agricultural commodities when used before harvest in the production of. alfalfa, almonds, apples, apricots, artichokes, asparagus, avocados, beans, bell peppers, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, boysenberries, caneberries, canola, cantaloupes, carrots, cauliflower, casaba, celery, cherries, chili peppers, chinese cabbage (bok choy, napa), cooking peppers, corn, cotton, crenshaw, cucumbers, figs, grapefruit, grapes, honeydew melon, hops, kiwifruit, kohlrabi, lemons, lentils, lettuce, limes, macadamia nuts, musk melon, nectarines, olives, onions, oranges, peaches, pears, peanuts, peas, persian melon, pistachios, plums, potatoes, pumpkin, prunes, radish, raspberries, rice, safflower, sorghum, spinach, spinach (New Zealand), squash (winter and summer), strawberries, sugar beets, sunflower, sweet pepper, table beets, tangerines, tomatoes, walnuts, watermelon, and zucchini.

Atmospheric Standards · 1 item

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Urea is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.

Chemistry & industry

Pharmacology

ATC Code · 5 items

B - Blood and blood forming organs

D - Dermatologicals

QD - Dermatologicals

QB - Blood and blood forming organs

D02AE01

PharmacodynamicsUrea is a keratolytic emollient that works to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin.
Mechanism of Action · 1 item

... The primary mechanism of ammonia toxicosis appears to be inhibition of the citric acid cycle. There is an increase in anaerobic glycolysis, blood glucose, and blood lactate ... . Acidosis is manifested. The exact means by which ammonia blocks the citric acid cycle is not known. It is postulated that ammonia saturation of the glutamine-synthesizing system causes a backing-up in the citrate cycle, a decrease in its intermediates, and a decrease in energy production and cellular respiration, which leads to convulsions ... . The decrease of citrate cycle intermediates is postulated to result from reamination of pyruvic, ketoglutaric, and oxaloacetic acids.

Absorption, Distribution and Excretion · 5 items

SOME SMALL, WATER SOL, BUT NONIONIZABLE COMPD SUCH AS UREA READILY TRAVERSE MAMMALIAN MEMBRANES, PROBABLY ALONG WITH WATER, BY WAY OF THE PORES. THIS FILTRATION PROCESS IS PARTICULARLY RAPID BETWEEN CAPILLARIES & EXTRACELLULAR FLUID.

... UREA ... PENETRATES OTHER CELLS RAPIDLY, ENTERS THE BRAIN ONLY VERY SLOWLY ...

... DISTRIBUTED APPROX IN TOTAL BODY WATER ... HAVE BEEN USED FOR MEASUREMENT OF TOTAL BODY WATER.

EXCRETION OF UREA DURING SWEATING IN MAN: 1.84 SWEAT/PLASMA RATIO WITH PKA @ 13.8. /FROM TABLE/

For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for UREA (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Tissue LocationsEpidermis
Cellular LocationsExtracellular

Uses & manufacturing

Uses · 6 items

CIR ingredient: Urea

A compound (CO(NH2)2), formed in the liver from ammonia produced by the deamination of amino acids. It is the principal end product of protein catabolism and constitutes about one half of the total urinary solids. [ChemIDplus] Used as a mordant in textile dyeing; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] Used to make fertilizer, feed additives, urea-formaldehyde resins and pharmaceuticals; Humans excrete 20-35 grams per day and have blood levels of 200-400 mg/L. [AIHA]

Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry]

Textile arts [Category: Hobbies]

For Urea (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 085702) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for use in the U.S. but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide products ... "cancelled."

Impurities · 2 items

Cyanates are present as an impurity /American Research Products Co/

0.3-2.0 wt% of biuret is typically present in solid urea

U.S. Exports · 3 items

(1972) 4.5X10+11 G

(1975) 6.5X10+8 G

(1984) 1.11X10+13 G

U.S. Imports · 3 items

(1972) 5.1X10+11 G

(1975) 6.6X10+8 G

(1984) 2.0X10+10 G

U.S. Production · 6 items

2023: 30,000,000,000 - <35,000,000,000 lb

(1972) 3.2X10+12 G

(1985) 5.95X10+12 g

(1990) 16.24 billion lb

(1991) 16.27 billion lb

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for UREA (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Consumption Patterns · 5 items

37% AS A LIQUID FERTILIZER; 24% FOR OTHER FERTILIZER USES; 22% AS A LIVESTOCK NUTRIENT; 17% FOR RESINS AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL USES (1973)

Fertilizer, solid, 39%; Fertilizer solutions, 32%; Exports, 19%; Urea-formaldehyde resins and adhesives, 6%; Others, including animal feeds and melamine, 4% (1985)

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Urea. Fertilizer, solid, 42%; fertilizer solutions, 31%; exports, 13%; urea-formaldehyde resins and adhesives, 5%; other, including animal feeds and melamine, 9%.

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Urea. Demand: July 1987-June 1988: 7.46 million tons; 1988-1989: 8.17 million tons; 1992-1993 /projected/: 8.5 million tons per year. (Includes exports, but not imports, which totaled 2.1 million tons in 1987-1988.)

For more Consumption Patterns (Complete) data for UREA (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Suppliers50 total

国药集团化学试剂有限公司86-21-63210123 · [email protected]
北京华美互利生物化工010-56205725 · [email protected]
梯希爱(上海)化成工业发展有限公司021-67121386 · [email protected]
上海阿拉丁生化科技股份有限公司400-6206333 13167063860 · [email protected]
爱斯特(成都)生物制药股份有限公司+86-28-85122536 85324413 · [email protected]
Additional notes · 1 item

DefinitionChEBI: Urea is a carbonyl group with two C-bound amine groups. The commercially available fertilizer has an analysis of 46-0-0 (N-P2O5-K2O). It has a role as a flour treatment agent, a human metabolite, a Daphnia magna metabolite, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite, a mouse metabolite and a fertilizer. It is a monocarboxylic acid amide and a one-carbon compound. It is functionally related to a carbonic acid. It is a tautomer of a carbamimidic acid.

Related reactions

2,298 records

Linked notes

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