2-Imidazolidinone (imidazolidin-2-one) is a cyclic urea derivative. It is used as an intermediate in organic synthesis and as a building block for substituted imidazolidinones.
Uses
2-Imidazolidinone is principally used as a formaldehyde scavenger in amino-resin systems and textile finishes. It reacts with free formaldehyde and with pendant N-methylol groups to form stable adducts, lowering free formaldehyde content and emissions. Applications include incorporation as an internal additive in urea-formaldehyde adhesives or as a post-treatment in textile finishing baths and on wood-based panels. Reported usage levels vary by application, commonly around 5–10% by weight relative to resin solids for internal scavenging, and 10–40% in commercial aqueous scavenger concentrates for surface or post-treatment applications. Careful optimization of resin formulation and curing is necessary to avoid adverse effects on bonding strength and cure behavior.CN1739821A - Ethylene urea amino derivative formaldehyde scavenger. https://patents.google.com/patent/CN1739821A/en
Preparation
2-Imidazolidinone can be obtained by the direct condensation of ethylenediamine with urea or dimethyl carbonate:
C2H4(NH2)2 + CO(NH2)2 → C3H6N2O + 2 NH3
H2N–CH2–CH2–NH2 + (MeO)2CO → C3H6N2O + 2 MeOH
It can also be obtained by the direct condensation of ethylene glycol and urea:US2526757A - Preparation of ethyleneurea. https://patents.google.com/patent/US2526757A/enUS2416046A - Process for the preparation of ethyleneurea. https://patents.google.com/patent/US2416046A/en
CO(NH2)2 + HO–CH2–CH2–OH → C3H6N2O + 2 H2O
References