Title: 1-(Hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
CAS Registry Number: 116-25-6
CAS Name: 1-(Hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione
Additional Names: monomethyloldimethylhydantoin; MDMH; methylol dimethylhydantoin
Molecular Formula: C6H10N2O3
Molecular Weight: 158.16
Percent Composition: C 45.56%, H 6.37%, N 17.71%, O 30.35%
Literature References: Prepd by treating 5,5-dimethylhydantoin with formaldehyde: Mackey, US 2762708 (1956 to GAF).
Properties: Crystals, mp 100°. Freely sol in water, methanol, ethanol, acetone; slightly sol in ethyl acetate. Practically insol in ether, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride.
Melting point: mp 100°
Use: As preservative in cosmetic prepns. The compound liberates formaldehyde steadily at a very slow rate in the presence of water at pH 6. The available formaldehyde is about 19% (w/w), and 0.1-10% is usuallly mixed with the cosmetic product. When heated in the dry state MDMH forms a water-soluble dimethylhydantoin formaldehyde resin, compatible with gelatin, polyvinyl acetate, ethyl cellulose. The resin is used in hair lacquers. |