Trimethylthiourea

Description

Trimethylthiourea is a thiourea derivative. Patients sensitized to ethylbutyl thiourea ean also react to trimethylthiourea.

The Uses of Trimethylthiourea

1,1,3-Trimethylthiourea can be used to synthesize many isothiouronium compounds.

General Description

Prisms (from benzene or ligroin) or off-white powder.

Air & Water Reactions

Very slightly soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

An organosulfide amide. Organosulfides are incompatible with acids, diazo and azo compounds, halocarbons, isocyanates, aldehydes, alkali metals, nitrides, hydrides, and other strong reducing agents. Reactions with these materials generate heat and in many cases hydrogen gas. Many of these compounds may liberate hydrogen sulfide upon decomposition or reaction with an acid. Organic 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).

Health Hazard

ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: When heated to decomposition TRIMETHYLTHIOUREA emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for TRIMETHYLTHIOUREA are not available; however, TRIMETHYLTHIOUREA is probably combustible.

Contact allergens

Trimethylthiourea is a thiourea derivative used, for example, for polychloroprene (neoprene) rubber vul- canization. Patients sensitized to ethylbutyl thiourea can also react to trimethylthiourea.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion. Questionable carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic data. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NOx and SOx. See also ISOTHIOUREA.