Urea peroxohydrate

Urea forms a 1 1 adduct with hydrogen peroxide. Urea peroxohydrate [124-43-6] CO(NH2)2 202, is made simply by mixing powdered urea and 35% hydrogen peroxide in the presence of stabili2ers, and crystaUi2ing the product by cooling or concentration. It is available in the form of crystals or tablets. The former contain about 35% H2O2, the latter about 34%. The solubihty in water is 510 g/L at 20°C. The solution decomposes above 55°C. 

Obsolete uses of urea peroxohydrate, as a convenient source of aqueous hydrogen peroxide, include the chemical deburring of metals, as a topical disinfectant and mouth wash, and as a hairdresser s bleach. In the 1990s the compound has been studied as a laboratory oxidant in organic chemistry (99,100). It effects epoxidation, the Baeyer-Villiger reaction, oxidation of aromatic amines to nitro compounds, and the conversion of sodium and nitrogen compounds to S—O and N—O compounds. 

Urea peroxohydrate is made commercially by Solvay Deutschland, Degussa (Germany), and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical. It is known commercially as urea hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide carbamide, Exterol, Hydroperit, Hydroperit, Hyperol, Orti2on, Percarbamid, Percarbamide, Perhydrit, Perhydrol-Urea, Thenardol, and UHP. In 1994 the U.K. price was J7—8/kg ( 10—12/kg). World production in 1993 was several hundred metric t. 

Other Peroxohydrates. Other peroxohydrates include those of potassium, rubidium, and cesium carbonates. M2CO33H2O ammonium carbonate peroxohydrate, (NHU COs H2C>2 and urea peroxohydrate, C0(NH2),-H202. 

Urea peroxohydrate is an irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves it as an over-the-counter drug. 

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