Thiourea

　　Appearance and Properties: White, lustrant, bitter-tasting crystalsl.

　　Melting Point (℃): 176～178

　　Boiling Point (℃): Decomposes; Relative Density (water=1): 1.41

　　Logarithmic value of Octanol/Water partition coefficient: 2.5

　　Solubility: Soluble in cold water and ethanol; slightly soluble in ether.

　　Main Uses

　　Pharmaceutical and Pesticide Industries

　　As a pharmaceutical intermediate: Used in the synthesis of sulfa drugs (e.g., sulfathiazole), antithyroid drugs (e.g., methimazole), and antitumor drugs; the sulfur atom of thiourea can participate in the structural construction of biologically active molecules.

　　Production of pesticides: Used in the synthesis of insecticides (e.g., thiourea-based insecticides), fungicides (e.g., isoprothiolane), and herbicides, utilizing their inhibitory effects on pests or pathogens.

　　Metallurgy and Electroplating Industries

　　Mineral processing: As a flotation agent for sulfide ores, it can selectively adsorb onto the surface of metal sulfide ores, enhancing the adhesion of minerals to bubbles and improving beneficiation efficiency (e.g., separation of copper, lead, and zinc ores).

　　Electroplating additive: Used in electroplating solutions to improve the gloss and uniformity of the coating and prevent pinholes or cracks; commonly used in the electroplating of metals such as copper and silver.

　　Metal corrosion inhibitor: Added to industrial water or lubricating oil to slow down metal corrosion by forming a protective film through binding with the metal surface (e.g., corrosion prevention for steel and copper).

　　Organic Synthesis

　　As a reducing agent: Reduces nitro, nitroso, and other groups in organic reactions, or is used to prepare thiols, isothiocyanates, and other compounds.

　　Used to synthesize heterocyclic compounds: Reacts with aldehydes and ketones to generate heterocycles such as thiazoles and imidazoles; these structures are the core skeletons of many drugs and dyes.

　　Chemical and Materials

　　Production of thiourea resins: Condenses with formaldehyde to produce thermosetting reslins used in adhesives, coatings, or molding plastics, possessing acid and alkali resistance.

　　As a rubber vulcanization accelerator: Accelerates the rubber vulcanization reaction and improves the hardness and wear resistance of rubber (e.g., processing of natural rubber and synthetic rubber).

　　Used in the paper industry: As a bleaching auxiliary to enhance pulp brightness, or as a water repellent for paper.