What is the chemical reaction of ammonium cyanate to urea?

see full answer

Talk to JEE/NEET 2025 Toppers - Learn What Actually Works!

Real Strategies. Real People. Real Success Stories - Just 1 call away

An Intiative by Sri Chaitanya

(Unlock A.I Detailed Solution for FREE)

Ready to Test Your Skills?

Check your Performance Today with our Free Mock Test used by Toppers!

Take Free Test

Detailed Solution

The conversion of ammonium cyanate (NH₄OCN) to urea (NH₂CONH₂) is a classic example of an organic reaction where an inorganic compound is transformed into an organic compound.

Chemical Equation:

NH₄OCN → NH₂CONH₂

Ammonium cyanate → Urea

Details of the Reaction:

Ammonium cyanate is an inorganic salt.
Urea is an organic compound containing amine groups and a carbonyl group.

Importance of the Reaction:

This reaction was famously demonstrated by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828. It marked the first time an organic compound (urea) was synthesized from inorganic materials, disproving the theory of vitalism.

Type of Reaction:

Isomerization reaction: Ammonium cyanate rearranges to form urea.
No atoms are added or removed — just a rearrangement of the molecular structure.

Summary Table:

Aspect	Details
Reactant	Ammonium cyanate (NH₄OCN)
Product	Urea (NH₂CONH₂)
Type of Reaction	Isomerization
Historical Significance	First synthesis of an organic compound from inorganic source by Wöhler (1828)

Watch 3-min video & get full concept clarity

Result Producing online coaching for JEE/NEET of south India

Largest All India Test Series for JEE/NEET

Best Books for IIT JEE

Best Books for NEET

How to Join IIT after 10th