Thiourea Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Thiourea formula is composed of elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Sulphur. Carbon is the most abundant nonmetallic chemical element. In the periodic table, it belongs to group-14 and is represented by the symbol C. It forms a very large number of compounds. Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table which has no odor, no color, and no taste. It is represented with the symbol H. It is a gaseous substance. Nitrogen is also an abundant nonmetal present in group-15 in the periodic table. It is the lightest element in its group and is represented by the symbol N. Sulphur is the most reactive element and is present in group-16 in the periodic table. It is represented by the symbol S.

Thiourea Formula

Thiourea is an organosulfur compound and it is similar to urea in which Oxygen atoms in urea are replaced by Sulphur. Thiourea is also named as Pseudothiourea or Thiocarbamide. Its chemical formula is CH₄N₂S. The appearance of Thiourea is of form white crystals and when they came in contact with fire it releases toxic fumes. It plays an important role in forming heterocycles.

Structure of Thiourea

Thiourea Structure

Physical Properties of Thiourea

• The appearance of Thiourea – White solid crystals
• The odor of Thiourea – Odorless
• Thiourea is soluble in water (137gram/liter at 20°Celsius).
• The pH value of Thiourea is greater than 3.

Chemical Properties of Thiourea

• Chemical Formula – CH₄N₂S
• Melting Point – 176°C to 178°C.
• Boiling Point – 150°C to 160°C.
• Molecular Weight – 76.12 gram/mol
• Thiourea (CH₄NH₂S) reacts with alkyl halides to produce isothiouronium salt. On hydrolysis of isothiouronium salt gives thiol and urea.

Uses of Thiourea

• Thiourea is used in the production of vulcanization accelerators and flame retardant resins in Industries.
• It is used as a catalyst in metal processing, plating, and photo processing.
• In the textile industry, Thiourea is used as a reducing agent.
• Thiourea is also used as silver tarnish removers.

Sample Questions

Question 1: What type of inhibitor is Thiourea?

Answer:

The drugs that containing Thiourea exhibits non-competitive kinetics inhibitory. Enzyme inhibition kinetics listed the drugs containing Thiourea are non-competitive inhibitors. 

Question 2: Calculate the molecular weight of Thiourea?

Solution:

Thiourea consists of 1 Carbon, 4 Hydrogens, 2 Nitrogen and 1 Sulphur elements.

Weight of 1 Carbon = 12.0107g

Weight of 1 Hydrogen = 1.00784g

Weight of 1 Nitrogen = 14.0067g

Weight of 1 Sulphur = 32.065g

Weight of Thiourea (CH₄N₂S) = 12.0107 + (4 × 1.00784) + (2 × 14.0067) + 32.065

= 76.12g/mol

Question 3: Which functional group is present in urea?

Answer:

The functional group present in urea is carbonyl group. Carbonyl group bound to two atoms of nitrogen or a molecule containing function groups.

Question 4: Thiourea is health hazardous?

Answer:

Yes, Thiourea is hazardous to health. Repeated and prolonged contact of Thiourea causes skin sensitization and diverse health effects on the thyroid gland. It also damage bone marrow in humans.

Question 5: What happens when Thiourea reacts with alkyl halides?

Answer:

When Thiourea reacts with alkyl halides it gives isothiouronium salt. On further hydrolysis of isothiouronium forms Thiol and Urea.

Question 6: Difference between Urea and Thiourea

Answer:

Urea has oxygen atom bonded to carbon element. In Thiourea Sulphur atom is bonded to carbon atom. In both urea and thiourea two amine groups are present.

• Urea chemical formula- CH₄N₂O
• Thiourea chemical formula- CH₄N₂S