Triuret

Triuret is an organic compound with the formula (H2NC(O)NH)2CO. It is a product from the pyrolysis of urea. Triuret is a colorless, crystalline, hygroscopic solid, slightly soluble in cold water or ether, and more soluble in hot water. It is a planar molecule. The central carbonyl is hydrogen-bonded to both terminal amino groups. Triuret is an organic compound with the formula (H2NC(O)NH)2CO. It is a product from the pyrolysis of urea. Triuret is a colorless, crystalline, hygroscopic solid, slightly soluble in cold water or ether, and more soluble in hot water. It is a planar molecule. The central carbonyl is hydrogen-bonded to both terminal amino groups. The compound is typically prepared by heating thin layers of urea, the thin layers facilitating escape of ammonia: It can also prepared by treatment of urea with phosgene: A similar synthesis employs urea and dimethyl carbonate with potassium methoxide as a catalyst: The original synthesis entailed oxidation of uric acid with hydrogen peroxide. Triuret is a complicating by-product in the industrial synthesis of melamine from urea.