Difference Between Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea

The key difference between imidazolidnyl urea and diazolidinyl urea is that imidazolidnyl urea molecule contains two imidazolidine rings whereas diazolidinyl urea molecule contains one imidazolidine ring.

Imidazolidnyl urea and diazolidinyl urea molecules are chemically related to each other because they have the same cyclic structure.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Imidazolidinyl Urea 
3. What is Diazolidinyl Urea 
4. Side by Side Comparison – Imidazolidinyl Urea vs Diazolidinyl Urea in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Imidazolidinyl Urea?

Imidazolidinyl urea is an antimicrobial preservative substance that can be used mainly in the cosmetic industry. This compound is highly related to Diazolidinyl urea chemically. Moreover, this compound can act as a formaldehyde releaser, as same as Diazolidinyl urea. Some people show allergies to both imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea, which can cause dermatitis.

Figure 01: Structure of Imidazolidinyl Urea

When considering the chemical structure of this compound, it has two imidazolidine rings, and their hydroxymethyl functional groups are attached to the carbon atoms rather than nitrogen atoms.

Moreover, imidazolidinyl urea can be produced by the chemical reaction of allantoin and formaldehyde in the presence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution and heat. Here, two allantoin molecules react with three formaldehyde molecules to give one imidazolidinyl urea molecule.

What is Diazolidinyl Urea?

Diazolidinyl urea is an organic compound that is important as an antimicrobial preservative useful in the cosmetic industry. This compound is related to imidazolidinyl urea chemically. Both these compounds are used in the same way. Diazolidinyl urea is useful as a formaldehyde releaser. Also, it is useful in the manufacture of many products in the cosmetic industry, including skin care products, shampoo, conditioner. Furthermore, we can find this chemical in a wide range of products including bubble baths, baby wipes and household detergents. Commercially, this compound is available as a preservative called “Germaben”. In its commercial-grade, it occurs as a mixture of different formaldehyde addition products such as polymers.

Figure 02: Recently Recognized Chemical Structure of Diazolidinyl Urea

When considering the production of diazolidinyl urea, the most common route is the chemical reaction between allantoin and formaldehyde in the presence of a solution of NaOH (Sodium hydroxide) and heat. Thereafter, we can neutralize this solution mixture using hydrochloric acid (HCl acid), followed by the evaporation step. Here, one allantoin molecule reacts with four formaldehyde molecules to give one diazolidinyl urea molecule.

According to the most recent data regarding diazolidinyl urea molecule, the hydroxymethyl functional groups of the imidazolidine ring in this compound is attached to the carbon atom rather than the nitrogen atom in the urea group.

Moreover, we need to consider the safety regarding the use of diazolidinyl urea substance. This is because some people show contact allergy to this urea compound, which can cause dermatitis. Furthermore, it can be considered as a carcinogenic agent because it is a formaldehyde releaser that can release the carcinogen formaldehyde while slowly degrading itself.

What are the Similarities Between Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea?

• Imidazolidinyl urea and Diazolidinyl urea have imidazolidine ring structures.
• Both are important as antimicrobial preservative agents.
• We can use these compounds in cosmetic productions.
• Both can act as formaldehyde releasers.

What is the Difference Between Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea?

Imidazolidnyl urea and diazolidinyl urea molecules are chemically related to each other. The key difference between imidazolidnyl urea and diazolidinyl urea is that imidazolidnyl urea molecule contains two imidazolidine rings whereas diazolidinyl urea molecule contains one imidazolidine ring.

The following info-graphic tabulates the differences between imidazolidnyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.

Summary – Imidazolidinyl Urea vs Diazolidinyl Urea

Both imidazolidnyl urea and diazolidinyl urea molecules can act as formaldehyde-releasing agents because they have a closely related structure. The key difference between imidazolidnyl urea and diazolidinyl urea is that imidazolidnyl urea molecule contains two imidazolidine rings whereas diazolidinyl urea molecule contains one imidazolidine ring.

Reference:

1. “Imidazolidinyl Urea.” Cosmetics Info, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Imidazolidinyl urea correct formula” By Cacycle – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Diazolidinyl urea correct formula” By Cacycle – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXFn5yrnZ6YsqOx07CcnqZemLyue8OinZ%2Bdopq7pLGMm5ytr5Wau261zKKbmrKfobaltc2yo2atopqubq3NnWSdoZGvvK21w6KlsqRdqr%2BmrY4%3D