1,3-dimethylurea

1,3-Dimethylurea (CAS 96-31-1), commonly abbreviated as DMU, is a symmetric disubstituted urea derivative used as a chemical intermediate and reagent across pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturing. It functions primarily as a building block in synthesis pathways and as a component in buffering and catalytic systems. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, DMU serves as an intermediate in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

This includes methylxanthine derivatives and heterocyclic compounds requiring a dimethylurea scaffold. Personal care formulators incorporate it into preservation systems where controlled release of antimicrobial activity is required. In biotechnology research and process chemistry, DMU is used to stabilize pH in buffered reaction media. This supports enzyme activity and cell culture conditions during various stages of chemical development.

Catalyst precursor applications include its use in the preparation of nitrogen-containing ligands and coordination complexes for specialty chemical synthesis. It is a versatile reagent for modern industrial chemistry. 1,3-Dimethylurea is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granular solid. It is available in technical grade for industrial synthesis and in higher-purity grades suitable for pharmaceutical intermediate use.

Specifications are aligned to USP and Ph. Eur. reference standards where required. Packaging typically ranges from kilogram-scale laboratory quantities to bulk industrial supply for large operations.