Carbamino Compounds
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Carbamino compounds are derivatives of carbamic acid (HO.CO.NH₂), which exists only in salt and ester forms. The article describes carbamino ammonium and urethanes, noting their occurrence in biological systems and medical applications.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
Carbamino compounds, derivatives of carbamic (carbamido) acid HO.CO.NH₂. Carbamic acid, like carbonic acid hydrate, does not exist in a free state and decomposes into NH₃ and carbonic anhydride: HO.CO.NH₂ → NH₃ + CO₂, but salts and complex esters of carbamic acid are known. Carbamino ammonium NH₄.O.CO.NH₂, contained in very small quantities in blood and urine, is a white crystalline powder; its solution in water does not give a precipitate with calcium chloride solution, differing in this from ammonium carbonate; but upon standing, the solution undergoes hydrolysis with the formation of ammonium carbonate: NH₄.O.CO.NH₂ + H₂O = NH₄.O.CO.O.NH₄. Upon heating carbamino ammonium, water is released with the formation of the complete amide of carbonic acid—urea: NH₄.O.CO.NH₂ - H₂O + NH₂.CO.NH₂. Also in animal organisms, carbamino ammonium is one of the intermediate products in the transformation of proteins through amino acids into urea. Carbamino ammonium is formed upon oxidation of proteins, amino acids, and many other nitrogenous organic substances with potassium permanganate salt. Complex esters (esters) of carbamic acid, of the general formula RO.CO.NH₂, are called urethanes; some of them are used as medicinal agents (see Bishol, Gedonal, Urethane).
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Cite this page
“Carbamino Compounds.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/carbamino-compounds/