Triuret is an organic compound with the formula (H<sub>2</sub>NC(O)NH)<sub>2</sub>CO. It is a product from the pyrolysis of urea. Triuret is a colorless, crystalline, hygroscopic solid, slightly soluble in cold water or ether, and more soluble in hot water. It is a planar molecule. The central carbonyl is hydrogen-bonded to both terminal amino groups.
The compound is typically prepared by heating thin layers of urea, the thin layers facilitating escape of ammonia:
It can also prepared by treatment of urea with phosgene:
A similar synthesis employs urea and dimethyl carbonate with potassium methoxide as a catalyst:
The original synthesis entailed oxidation of uric acid with hydrogen peroxide.
Triuret is a complicating by-product in the industrial synthesis of melamine from urea.