N,N'-Dimethylurea → 4,5-Dihydroxy-1,3-dimethylimidazolidin-2-one

Reaction equation

[C:1]([NH:5][CH3:6])([NH:3][CH3:4])=[O:2].[CH:7]([CH:9]=[O:10])=[O:8].[OH-].[Na+]>>[OH:8][CH:7]1[CH:9]([OH:10])[N:5]([CH3:6])[C:1](=[O:2])[N:3]1[CH3:4]

Participants

Reactant 3

HCID 7293N,N'-Dimethylurea

HCID 7860Glyoxal

HCID 14798Sodium Hydroxide

Product 1

HCID 735394,5-Dihydroxy-1,3-dimethylimidazolidin-2-one

Procedure

Dimethylurea (2-moles, 176 parts) and glyoxal (2 moles, 290 parts of 40% aqueous solution) are mixed and the pH adjusted to 7 with sodium hydroxide. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for several hours and the resulting white solid is filtered, washed with methanol and dried. White crystals, melting point 140° C. are obtained in fine yield.