Urea: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 04:22, 29 March 2025

Chemical compound

Urea, also known as carbamide, is an organic compound with the chemical formula (NH_)_CO. It is a colorless, odorless solid, highly soluble in water, and practically non-toxic. Urea is widely used in fertilizers as a source of nitrogen and is an important raw material for the chemical industry.

Production[edit]

Urea is produced commercially from ammonia and carbon dioxide in a process known as the Bosch-Meiser urea process. This process involves the reaction of ammonia with carbon dioxide at high temperature and pressure to form ammonium carbamate, which is then dehydrated to form urea.

Uses[edit]

Urea is primarily used as a fertilizer, providing a readily available source of nitrogen to plants. It is also used in the manufacture of plastics, adhesives, and resins. In the medical field, urea is used in topical creams to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Biological role[edit]

In the human body, urea is a waste product formed in the liver through the urea cycle, which converts toxic ammonia into urea for excretion in urine. This process is crucial for the removal of excess nitrogen from the body.

Environmental impact[edit]

The use of urea as a fertilizer can lead to environmental issues such as eutrophication and the release of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Proper management and application techniques are essential to minimize these impacts.

Related pages[edit]

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 {{short description|Chemical compound}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
 [[File:CSD_CIF_WITQEV.jpg|thumb|right|Molecular structure of urea]]
 [[File:Urea process plant UFFL 01.jpg|thumb|right|Urea process plant]]
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 '''Urea''', also known as '''carbamide''', is an organic compound with the chemical formula (NH_)_CO. It is a colorless, odorless solid, highly soluble in water, and practically non-toxic. Urea is widely used in fertilizers as a source of nitrogen and is an important raw material for the chemical industry.
-==History==
 ==Production==
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 * [[Fertilizer]]
 * [[Organic chemistry]]
-==References==
-* Boerhaave, H. (1727). "Elementa Chemiae".
 [[Category:Organic compounds]]
 [[Category:Fertilizers]]
 [[Category:Chemical processes]]
-<gallery>
-File:CSD_CIF_WITQEV.jpg|Urea
-File:Urea_process_plant_UFFL_01.jpg|Urea process plant
-File:THC_2003.902.071_Urea_Plant.tif|Urea Plant
-</gallery>
-== Urea ==
-'''Urea''' is a [[nitrogen]]-containing compound with the chemical formula CO(NH₂)₂. It is a significant component of the [[nitrogen cycle]] and plays a crucial role in the [[metabolism]] of [[nitrogen-containing compounds]] by animals. Urea is the primary nitrogenous waste product of [[protein]] metabolism in mammals and is excreted in [[urine]].
-=== Structure and Properties ===
-Urea is an [[organic compound]] that is highly soluble in [[water]] and has a melting point of 133°C. It is a colorless, odorless solid that is non-toxic and highly soluble in water, making it an ideal vehicle for the excretion of excess nitrogen. The molecule consists of two [[amino groups]] (-NH₂) joined by a [[carbonyl group]] (C=O).
-=== Biological Role ===
-In the [[liver]], urea is produced from [[ammonia]] and [[carbon dioxide]] in a series of reactions known as the [[urea cycle]]. This cycle is essential for the detoxification of ammonia, which is a byproduct of [[amino acid]] degradation. The urea produced is then transported to the [[kidneys]] where it is excreted in the urine.
-=== Clinical Significance ===
-The concentration of urea in the blood is measured as [[blood urea nitrogen]] (BUN), which is an important indicator of [[kidney function]]. Elevated levels of BUN can indicate [[renal failure]], [[dehydration]], or increased protein catabolism, while low levels may suggest [[liver disease]] or [[malnutrition]].
-=== Industrial Uses ===
-Urea is widely used in the [[agricultural industry]] as a [[fertilizer]] due to its high nitrogen content. It is also used in the production of [[plastics]], [[adhesives]], and [[pharmaceuticals]].
-=== History ===
-Urea was first discovered in [[1727]] by the Dutch chemist [[Herman Boerhaave]]. It was the first organic compound to be synthesized from inorganic materials, a milestone achieved by [[Friedrich Wöhler]] in [[1828]], which marked the birth of [[organic chemistry]].
-== See Also ==
-* [[Urea cycle]]
-* [[Ammonia]]
-* [[Kidney function]]
-* [[Blood urea nitrogen]]
-== References ==
-* [[Medical textbooks]]
-* [[Biochemistry]]
-* [[Physiology]]
-{{Reflist}}
-[[Category:Biochemistry]]
-[[Category:Organic compounds]]
-[[Category:Nitrogen cycle]]