urea

Urea (Carbamide) is one of the most important nitrogenous chemical compounds that has a wide range of uses in nature and industry. This

compound is excreted as a waste product in the metabolism of humans and animals and is also used in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and

chemical industries. Its history includes various stages of discovery, recognition of its structure and synthetic production, which have played

an important role in the progress of science and technology.

Discovery of urea and its role in biology

Urea was first discovered in 1727 by the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave. He extracted the compound from human urine but did not

provide much information about its chemical nature. A few decades later, in 1773, the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele was able to

identify the substance more precisely.

The role of urea in the body

It is one of the most important byproducts of protein metabolism in humans and other animals. The body breaks down consumed proteins

and converts the excess nitrogen into urea. Which is then excreted through the kidneys and urine. This process, known as the urea cycle,

was described by British scientist Hans Krebs in the 20th century.

Revolution in Chemistry: Urea Synthesis

In 1828, German chemist Friedrich Wöhler made a revolutionary discovery: she succeeded in producing urea from an inorganic compound,

ammonium cyanate, in the laboratory.

NH_4OCN → (NH_2)_2CO

This discovery was of great importance because it demonstrated for the first time that an organic compound (urea) could be synthesized

from inorganic materials. This finding is considered the starting point of organic chemistry and led scientists to abandon the “Vital Force”

theory, which believed that organic compounds were only made in living organisms.

Development of industrial methods

After Wöhler’s discovery, it was produced on a laboratory scale but had no industrial use. In the early 20th century, the development of

industrial synthesis methods made its mass production possible. One of the most important of these methods was the Bosch-Meiser process

of 1922, which used ammonia and carbon dioxide to produce it:

2NH_3 + CO_2 → (NH_2)_2CO + H_2O

This process is still used as the main method of urea production in the world.

Urea Production in the World

Today, urea is one of the most widely used chemicals in the world. China, India, Russia, and the United States are among its largest

producers. Large petrochemical plants produce millions of tons annually using natural gas and modern processes.

Urea Applications

More than 90 percent of its production in the world is used in the agricultural industry as nitrogen fertilizer. With 46 percent nitrogen, it is

considered one of the richest sources of nitrogen for plants. This fertilizer dissolves quickly in the soil and provides the nitrogen needed by

plants, helps the environment grow, and has a significant impact on the natural ecosystem.

Industrial applications

Urea is used in the chemical industry to produce urea-formaldehyde resins, which are used in the manufacture of adhesives and plastics. It

is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a raw material for some drugs, such as diuretics.

Automotive use

In modern diesel vehicles, a solution called AdBlue or DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is used to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. This

process, called SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction), helps reduce air pollution.

Environmental problems

Excessive use of urea in agriculture can cause groundwater pollution and increase greenhouse gas emissions (such as nitrous oxide).

Therefore, proper management and reduction of its excessive use is one of the challenges facing the agricultural industry, which has a

significant impact.

Development of new technologies

As technology advances, researchers are exploring new methods to optimize urea production and consumption, and one of these methods is

controlled-release fertilizers, which reduce nitrogen loss in the soil.

Conclusion

Urea is one of the most important chemical compounds that has had a great impact on the history of science, industry, and agriculture. From

its initial discovery in urine to its chemical synthesis by Wöhler, and from industrial production to widespread applications in agriculture and

industry, this compound continues to play a vital role in human life. With the advancement of technology, its optimal use and reduction of its

environmental impacts will be an important challenge for the future.

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