Thiourea
Product Overview
Chemical Name: Thiourea
CAS Number: 62-56-6
Molecular Formula: CH₄N₂S
Molecular Weight: 76.12 g/mol
Appearance: White crystalline powder or prills; odorless or with a slight ammonia-like smell
Solubility: Highly soluble in water (137 g/L at 20°C), soluble in ethanol, slightly soluble in ether and acetone
Thiourea is an important organic sulfur compound with a urea-like structure (replacing the oxygen atom with sulfur). It exhibits unique chemical reactivity, making it a versatile raw material and additive across industrial, agricultural, and laboratory fields. With stable physical properties and controllable reactivity, it meets strict quality standards for diverse application scenarios.
Key Properties & Advantages
| Property | Specification | Core Advantage |
| Melting Point | 176 - 178°C (decomposes above 180°C) | Thermal stability within typical processing temperatures, avoiding premature decomposition |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | 6.0 - 7.5 | Neutral to slightly acidic, compatible with most substrates without causing corrosion or pH imbalance |
| Purity (min) | 99.0% (industrial grade); 99.5% (pharmaceutical grade) | High purity reduces impurities that may affect product performance or cause side reactions |
| Heavy Metal Content (max) | 10 ppm (Pb, Cd, Hg total) | Meets environmental and safety standards, suitable for food-contact or pharmaceutical-related applications |
| Hygroscopicity | Low (absorbs minimal moisture at room temperature) | Easy to store and handle without clumping, ensuring consistent quality over time |
Typical Applications
Thiourea’s unique chemical properties (e.g., ability to form complexes with metals, act as a reducing agent, and participate in heterocyclic synthesis) make it indispensable in multiple industries:
3.1 Industrial & Metallurgy
Metal Refining & Plating: Used as a complexing agent in gold and silver leaching (e.g., in cyanide-free gold extraction) to dissolve precious metals from ores. Acts as a brightener and stabilizer in nickel, copper, and zinc electroplating, improving coating uniformity and luster.
Corrosion Inhibition: Added to industrial coolants, pickling solutions, and metalworking fluids to form a protective film on metal surfaces, preventing rust and acid corrosion.
3.2 Chemical Synthesis
Pharmaceuticals & Agrochemicals: A key intermediate in the production of sulfonamides (antibacterial drugs), thyroid hormones, and herbicides (e.g., thiourea-based herbicides for weed control in crops).
Dye & Pigment Manufacturing: Used to synthesize thiazole and imidazole derivatives, which are critical components of azo dyes and organic pigments (e.g., for textiles, plastics, and inks).
Rubber Industry: Serves as a vulcanization accelerator and modifier, enhancing rubber elasticity, heat resistance, and aging resistance in tires, seals, and rubber products.
3.3 Laboratory & Specialty Uses
Analytical Chemistry: Used as a reagent to detect and quantify heavy metals (e.g., 铋、selenium) via complex formation.
Photography: Acts as a fixing agent and reducing agent in black-and-white photography, helping to stabilize images and remove unexposed silver halides.
Safety & Compliance
4.1 Safety Guidelines
Handling: Avoid inhalation of dust or direct skin/eye contact. Wear dust-proof goggles, nitrile gloves, and a respiratory mask (N95 or higher) in poorly ventilated areas. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse away from strong acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid), oxidizing agents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), and open flames. Use sealed HDPE or fiber drums to prevent moisture absorption and contamination.
Disposal: Dispose of waste or unused thiourea in accordance with local environmental regulations (e.g., as non-hazardous industrial waste; avoid releasing into soil or water).
4.2 Regulatory Compliance
Complies with REACH Regulation (EU) (registered under REACH SVHC list, no restrictions for industrial use).
Meets FDA Standards (for food-contact applications, e.g., as a corrosion inhibitor in food processing equipment).
Conforms to USP/NF Standards (pharmaceutical grade) for use in drug synthesis.
Certified by ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) for production processes.
Technical Data Sheet (TDS) Highlights
| Parameter | Industrial Grade | Pharmaceutical Grade | Test Method |
| Purity | ≥99.0% | ≥99.5% | High - Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) |
| Moisture Content | ≤0.5% | ≤0.3% | Karl Fischer Titration |
| Ash Content | ≤0.1% | ≤0.05% | Gravimetric Analysis |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤5 ppm | ≤2 ppm | Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) |
| Insoluble Matter in Water | ≤0.01% | ≤0.005% | Filtration & Drying |
Why Choose Our Thiourea?
Customized Grades: We offer industrial, pharmaceutical, and laboratory grades to meet specific customer needs (e.g., low heavy metal content for pharmaceutical use).
Stable Supply: Our production facilities (with annual capacity of 5,000 tons) ensure on-time delivery, even for bulk orders (20-500 kg drums).
Technical Support: Our team of chemists provides pre-sales consultation (e.g., application matching) and after-sales support (e.g., troubleshooting for processing issues).
Eco-Friendly Production: Our manufacturing process reduces wastewater and emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Contact Us
For pricing, samples, or full TDS/COA documentation, reach out to our sales team:
Email: info@anhaochemical.com
Phone: +86 15169355198
Website: https://www.anhaochemical.com/