What is "biuret"

Biuret \Bi"u*ret\, n. [Pref. bi- + urea.] (Chem.) A white, crystalline, nitrogenous substance, C2O2N3H5, formed by heating urea. It is intermediate between urea and cyanuric acid.

n. (context organic compound English) The compound formed by condensation of two molecules of urea with the loss of a molecule of ammonia, (NH₂-CO)₂NH, or any of its derivatives

Biuret is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CHNO. It is also known as carbamylurea. It is the result of condensation of two molecules of urea and is an impurity in urea-based fertilizers. This white solid is soluble in hot water. Biuret was first prepared and studied by Gustav Heinrich Wiedemann (1826 - 1899) for his doctoral dissertation, which was submitted in 1847. His findings were reported in several articles.

The term "biuret" also describes a family of organic compounds with the functional group -(HN-CO-)N-. Thus dimethyl biuret is CHHN-CO-NR'-CO-NHCH. A variety of organic derivatives are possible.