Chemical Properties
WHITE TO ALMOST WHITE CRYSTALLINE POWDER
Uses
n-Butylurea is used as a fertilizer for rice. It is used in the preparation of drugs which are recommended for diabetes.
General Description
Odorless white solid.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
N-Butylurea is an amide. Amides/imides react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides/imides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx). N-Butylurea decomposes on heating.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: N-Butylurea emits toxic fumes when heated to decomposition.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for N-Butylurea are not available. N-Butylurea is probably combustible.
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by
parenteral route. Mutation data reported.
When heated to decomposition it emits
toxic fumes of NOx.
Purification Methods
Crystallise the urea from pKEst EtOH/water, then dry it under vacuum at room temperature. [Beilstein 4 I 371, 4 IV 578.]
