Urea
Molar mass: 60.06 g/mol · Class: Organic amide
Elements: carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen
Structure
The molecule has a central carbon double-bonded to oxygen and single-bonded to two NH2 groups, in a flat arrangement. Resonance gives the C-N bonds partial double-bond character.
Properties
White crystalline solid, very soluble in water
First organic compound synthesized from inorganic starting materials (1828)
Breaks down in soil to release plant-usable nitrogen
Mildly basic in character
Applications
Nitrogen fertilizer (largest use)
Animal feed supplement
Resins, adhesives, and plastics
Skin creams as a moisturizer
Low toxicity, but fertilizer-grade urea is not for consumption. Dust irritates eyes and airways: wear a mask when handling bulk powder. Excess fertilizer runoff pollutes waterways.
Data source: IUPAC standard atomic weights 2021; molar mass computed from CO(NH2)2