II. Isolation and Identification of Thiocarbamide

Abstract

Isolation and identification of two of the metabolites excreted in the urine of workers exposed to carbon disulfide, which cause the iodineazide reaction (IAR), have been performed. After concentration of the urine, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was applied giving three zones with different R_f values and showing positive IAR. The urine was concentrated by vacuum distillation and extracted by ethyl acetate. Extract was evaporated to dryness and put on a silica gel (Silica Gel G) column. Elution with various organic solvents was performed, but water eluate produced the strongest IAR. Evaporation of the water eluate produced white crystals. By TLC, determination of melting point, mass spectra, and infrared spectra, it was established that this metabolite showed the structure of thiocarbamide. The quantity of thiocarbamide is much greater than that of the first metabolite in the urine of exposed workers.