Name: China Manufacturer Supply High Quality Tetramethylurea CAS 632-22-4 with good service
Brand: Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co., Ltd.

Specifications of Tetramethylurea CAS 632-22-4

Items	Specifications	Results
Appearance	colourless liquid	colourless liquid
Content(HPLC)	≥99.0%	99.2%
Water content	<0.5%	0.28%
Conclusion	The product up to standard.

Parameters of Tetramethylurea CAS 632-22-4

Product parameters
Cas number:	632-22-4
Appearance:	Colorless transparent liquid
Purity:	99.5%min
Package details:	200kg/drum
Brand:	Fortunachem

1,1,3,3-Tetramethylurea (TMU) is an organic compound with the formula [(CH₃)₂N]₂C=O. As the name indicates, it is a urea derivative where all four hydrogen atoms attached to the two nitrogen atoms are replaced by methyl groups. This structure classifies it as a tertiary urea. The central carbonyl group (C=O) is flanked by two dimethylamino groups [-N(CH₃)₂], which are strong electron-donors. This molecular architecture is responsible for its unique and valuable properties.

Key Properties

TMU is primarily characterized as a polar aprotic solvent. Its most notable properties include:

High Polarity and Boiling Point: TMU has a very high boiling point of approximately 175°C and a significant dipole moment. This high boiling point makes it exceptionally useful for reactions that require elevated temperatures.
High Dielectric Constant: With a dielectric constant around 23, it is effective at dissolving a wide range of ionic compounds and polar molecules.
Strong Solvating Power: It is an excellent solvent for many organic and inorganic substances, including polymers, resins, and salts.
Dipolar Aprotic Nature: Like its more common counterparts Dimethylformamide (DMF) and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), TMU is a dipolar aprotic solvent. This means it has a large dipole moment but lacks an acidic hydrogen (O-H or N-H) that it can donate for hydrogen bonding. Consequently, it solvates cations very effectively through ion-dipole interactions, but it does not strongly solvate anions. This leaves anions "naked" and highly reactive, which is a crucial feature in its applications.

Primary Applications and Uses

Solvent for Organic Synthesis and Polymer Chemistry: TMU's high boiling point and stability make it a superior solvent for high-temperature reactions, such as polycondensations and the synthesis of polyimides and other high-performance polymers. It can often be used in place of DMF or DMSO when a higher reaction temperature is needed.
Promoter for Anionic Reactions: This is one of its most important roles. In nucleophilic substitution reactions (particularly SN2 reactions), the poorly solvated anions are significantly more nucleophilic in TMU than in protic solvents. This dramatically increases reaction rates. It is also used in other anion-driven processes like the Wittig reaction and base-catalyzed condensations.
Chemical Additive and Reagent: TMU is employed as a solvent and reactant in various transformations. For instance, it is used in the synthesis of heterocycles and as a component in formulations for the conversion of carboxylic acids to acid chlorides using oxalyl chloride.
Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolytes: Due to its high polarity and electrochemical stability, TMU is investigated as a co-solvent in electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, where it can improve ion conductivity.
Denaturant: It is a known denaturant of proteins, disrupting their native three-dimensional structure.

Comparison and Safety

While TMU shares many properties with DMF and DMSO, its higher thermal stability and boiling point often make it the solvent of choice for specialized high-temperature applications. However, a significant drawback is its toxicity. It is considered harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin, and it may cause damage to organs. Therefore, it requires careful handling in a well-ventilated fume hood.

Property	Description
Chemical Name	1,1,3,3-Tetramethylurea
Abbreviation	TMU
Formula	C₅H₁₂N₂O
Classification	Polar Aprotic Solvent, Tertiary Urea
Key Feature	High boiling point (~175°C) and strong cation solvation.
Primary Use	High-temperature reaction solvent and promoter for anionic/nucleophilic reactions.
Notable Advantage	Higher thermal stability than DMF or DMSO.
Key Disadvantage	Significant toxicity, requiring careful handling.

In summary, TMU is a powerful and specialized solvent whose unique properties make it an indispensable tool in advanced synthetic chemistry and materials science, particularly when conventional solvents are inadequate.