Dimethylhydantoin
Description
Dimethylhydantoin (CAS 77-71-4), commercially known as DMH or Dantoin DMH, is a cyclic urea derivative used across pharmaceutical, personal care, and specialty chemical manufacturing. It functions primarily as a building block for active intermediates.
The compound acts as a buffering agent and a precursor in biocide synthesis. In personal care formulations, DMH is the backbone of DMDM hydantoin, a widely produced preservative system used in shampoos and skin care products.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as an intermediate in synthesizing hydantoin-derived APIs, where its ring structure enables controlled chemical modification. This versatility makes it essential for various medical applications.
In industrial water treatment and antimicrobial formulations, DMH serves as a precursor to halogenated hydantoins. These are chlorine- and bromine-releasing biocides used in cooling towers and pool sanitation systems.
Specialty chemical producers also use it as a pH buffer in reaction systems requiring stable mildly acidic conditions. This ensures consistent results during complex chemical manufacturing processes and industrial reactions.
Dimethylhydantoin is supplied as a white crystalline powder. Technical grade is the standard commercial form, with pharmaceutical-grade material available for API synthesis and regulated applications requiring high purity.
Bulk quantities are typically offered in multi-kilogram bags or fiber drums. Smaller packaging is also available for laboratory and development use to meet the specific needs of research facilities and small-scale production.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | 178 °C |
| Boiling Point | 237.54°C (rough estimate) |
| Density | 1.261 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 193°C |
| Appearance | white to off-white crystals or crystalline powder |
| Color | White to off-white |
| Form | Crystalline Powder or Crystals |
| Water Solubility | soluble |
| Refractive Index | 1.4730 (estimate) |
| Log P | -0.480 |
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29332100 |
| Storage Class | 11 - Combustible Solids |
| WGK (Germany) | 2 |
Documentation
Other Names
5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN|2,4-Imidazolidinedione, 5,5-dimethyl-|Dantoin DMH|5,5-Dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione|Dantoin 736|Hydantoin, 5,5-dimethyl-|DM HYDANTOIN|DMH
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