- Source: 1,1-Dimethylurea
1,1-Dimethylurea (DMU) is a urea derivative used as a polar solvent and a reagent in organic reactions. It is a solid, but forms a eutectic with a low melting point in combination with various hydroxylic additives that can serve as a environmentally sustainable solvent for various chemical reactions. The unsubstituted nitrogen, as an amine-like region, can serve as a nucleophile for a wide range of reactions, including reaction with acyl halides to form acylureas, coupling with vinyl halides, and multi-component condensation reaction with aldehydes. The unsubstituted amide-like portion can undergo oxidative coupling with alkenes to give dihydrooxazoles.