CAS 1000-82-4: (Hydroxymethyl)urea

Hydroxymethyl)urea is a food additive that has been found to be an efficient polarizer in the form of a substrate film. It is also used as a reagent for organic synthesis and analysis, including the determination of nitrogen atoms in food products. Hydroxymethyl)urea can act as both a hydroxyl group donor and acceptor. In the presence of an inorganic acid (e.g., sulfuric acid), it can react with formaldehyde to produce urea and formaldehyde-hydroxymethyl)urea complex. The reaction mechanism involves the formation of hydroxyl ions through the hydrolysis of sodium carbonate, which then reacts with zirconium oxide to produce hydrogen gas and zirconium hydroxide, which finally reacts with monosodium salt to produce urea.