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What is Carbamide?

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Carbamide is an organic compound commonly known as urea, the primary byproduct of nitrogen metabolism in mammals and amphibians. It is characterized as a water-soluble, colorless, and odorless granular substance in its pure state, but in the presence of moisture, it will give off a slight ammonia smell.

Synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide in the liver, carbamide travels to the kidneys via the blood, where it is excreted in urine. This compound can also be made artificially from inorganic materials. Friedrich Wöhler was the first to make this discovery when he accidentally created it from potassium cyanate and ammonium sulfate in 1828.

Carbamide is used in many fertilizers, as it breaks down into ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Carbamide is used in many fertilizers, as it breaks down into ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Although Wöhler had intended to synthesize ammonium cyanate and not carbamide, his discovery nonetheless proved invaluable. Prior to this event, the scientific community held that the biochemistry of living things differed from non-organic matter and could not be duplicated. Known as the principle of vitalism, this concept stemmed from the belief that non-living things lacked the vital force, or the unknown element that sparks life. In effect, Wöhler contributed to setting this theory aside and paved the way for the study of organic chemistry.

Carbamide can be used to add protein to livestock feed.
Carbamide can be used to add protein to livestock feed.

Carbamide is a diamide of carbonic acid since it contains two amide groups. In addition, its synthesis is completed through an anabolic process, which requires the utilization of small molecules from other agents. In this case, carbon dioxide, aspartate, ammonia, and water provide the metabolic pathway. This process, known as the urea cycle, is vital to the elimination of ammonia, which would otherwise accumulate in toxic amounts.

When combined with barium hydroxide, carbamide can help protect limestone monuments from acid rain.
When combined with barium hydroxide, carbamide can help protect limestone monuments from acid rain.

Since this substance is inexpensively produced from synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide, it is manufactured on a wide scale for a variety of commercial uses. Being a rich source of nitrogen, the majority is made for the fertilizer industry. It is also highly water-soluble due to its ability to form multiple hydrogen bonds. Once applied to soil, the compound quickly reverts into ammonia and carbon dioxide through hydrolysis.

Carbamide has several other applications. In veterinary medicine, for instance, it is used as a topical antiseptic and a diuretic. It is also sometimes used to enhance the protein content of cattle and sheep feed.

Carbamide resin is used to make adhesives for laminated plywood.
Carbamide resin is used to make adhesives for laminated plywood.

In manufacturing, it is used to make urea-formaldehyde plastics and carbamide resin as an adhesive for laminated plywood and particleboard. It is also used to stabilize explosives and, when combined with barium hydroxide, to deter the effects of acid rain when applied to limestone monuments. The compound was once used as a flame retardant for clothing and to induce the glycation process needed for commercial baked goods to brown. It's known by several trade names, including isourea, carbonyl diamide, and carbonyldiamine.

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to AllTheScience is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to AllTheScience is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

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Discussion Comments

anon339363

I am with post 3 in wondering if my 20 percent carbamide is doing me any harm. How can I find out?

anon275813

I also want to know how carbamide can lower pressure in the eyes.

anon173465

what is its use regarding eyes?

anon112188

What is the answer to question #4 regarding the use

carbamide for the treatment of glaucoma.

anon106368

I just read from a doctor's journal that carbamide can reduce pressure in the eyes, like glaucoma. Is there any truth about that?

anon96899

After reading this I'm not sure if I'm glad or sad that I bought Aquaphilic that contains carbamide. It definitely seems to absorb into my hands much better, which is why I bought it. I had used plain Aquaphilic and it worked OK, but when the store only had the one with carbamide they let me try it and it seems to work much better. But am I now absorbing bad things into my body?

amjathf

what is the iupac name of urea or carbamide?

anon20769

what is a substitute of urea in ureaformaldehyde resin mfg.

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    • Carbamide is used in many fertilizers, as it breaks down into ammonia and carbon dioxide.
      By: blas
      Carbamide is used in many fertilizers, as it breaks down into ammonia and carbon dioxide.
    • Carbamide can be used to add protein to livestock feed.
      By: Kybele
      Carbamide can be used to add protein to livestock feed.
    • When combined with barium hydroxide, carbamide can help protect limestone monuments from acid rain.
      By: ihervas
      When combined with barium hydroxide, carbamide can help protect limestone monuments from acid rain.
    • Carbamide resin is used to make adhesives for laminated plywood.
      By: Steve Cukrov
      Carbamide resin is used to make adhesives for laminated plywood.