Chemical Properties
slightly pink to grey crystalline needles
Uses
Selenourea is used in the synthesis of selenium heterocycles, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. It acts as an effective ligand and form complexes with transition metals and metalloids.
Definition
ChEBI: Selenourea is a member of ureas and a one-carbon compound. It is functionally related to a urea.
General Description
Solid.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.
Safety Profile
Poison by ingestion and intravenous routes. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NO, and Se. See also SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
Purification Methods
Recrystallise it from the least volume of H2O using Norite (preferably under N2) to form colourless needles which are dried over P2O5. It is air and light sensitive. It slowly turns moderately dark on storage even below 0o. [King & Hlavacek J Am Chem Soc 73 1864 1951, Dunbar & Painter J Am Chem Soc 69 1833 1947, Bacher & Bos Recl Trav Chim Pays Bas 62 580 1943, Hope Acta Chem Scand 18 1800 1964.] The Se-methyl iodide provides yellow crystals from EtOH/Et2O with m 187-188o(dec). The N,N-dimethyl derivative crystallises from H2O or EtOH as colourless needles which slowly turn pink, then gray on standing, and although slightly soluble in *benzene it can be recrystallised from it and has m 167-170o(dec) [Zingaro et al. J Org Chem 18 292 1953, IR: Jensen & Nielsen Acta Chem Scand 20 597 1966, Beilstein 3 IV 435.]
