Alloxan

• Mesoxalylurea
• Mesoxalylcarbamid
• Tetraoxypyrimidin
• Dioxyuracil
• 2,4,5,6 - (1H, 3H)- Pyrimidintetron

• C4H2N2O4 ( alloxan )
• C4H2N2O4 · H2O ( · alloxan hydrate)

• 50-71-5 ( alloxan )
• 2244-11-3 ( · alloxan hydrate)

Colorless powder

Fixed

256 ° C ( decomposition) ( · alloxan hydrate)

Soluble in water, ethanol and acetone

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Alloxan is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound having a Pyrimidingrundgerüst. The compound has a high affinity for water, and therefore is present as a monohydrate.

History

Alloxan was discovered by Justus von Liebig and Friedrich Wöhler shortly after discovery of the urea in 1828 and is one of the oldest named organic substances. Its name is derived from allantoin, which is found in the urine.

Production and representation

Originally alloxan was obtained by oxidation of uric acid with nitric acid. Today it is ( VI) oxide shown by the reaction of acetic acid and chromium with barbituric acid.

Properties

Alloxan is a strong oxidant and forms a hemiacetal with dialuric acid, which is referred to as alloxantin.

Use

Alloxan is a raw material for the purple, discovered in 1776 by ​​Karl Wilhelm Scheele dye murexide. Murexide is the product of a complicated multi-stage reaction of alloxantin, alloxan that can be obtained from, with gaseous ammonia.

Safety

Alloxan triggers in animal experiments by the destruction of insulin-producing β - cells of the pancreas Diabetes mellitus, which is used to artificially produce diabetes for scientific investigations.