Methylurea → 1-Methylimidazolidine-2,4,5-trione

Participants

Reaction Steps

To an ice-cold solution of 1-methylurea (200 mg, 2.70 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (6 mL) was added oxalyl chloride (0.26 mL, 2.97 mmol) dropwise, under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-5° for 2 h and then allowed to warm to room temperature for 1 h before being diluted with water. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the extracts were washed with water, dried and evaporated to give the product as an off-white solid (326 mg, 94%), mp 146-149° C. (lit. 145-148° C.).

Provenance & Evidence