Catalytic conversion of urea to biuret: A catalyst screening study

Biuret was synthesized from urea in a batch reactor using various homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, with the aim of searching for efficient catalyst in converting non-catalytic reaction to catalytic reaction. For this purpose, zeolite, heteropolyacid, organic acid and base, multicomponent bismuth molybdate, and multicomponent bismuth molybdate-alumina mixed catalysts were tested. It was revealed that the performance of catalytic reaction was better than that of non-catalytic reaction in the synthesis of biuret from urea. Among the homogeneous acid and base catalysts tested, thionyl chloride (SOCl2) showed the best catalytic performance. Among the heterogeneous catalysts tested, on the other hand, a mixed catalyst comprising multicomponent bismuth molybdate (Co8Fe3Bi1Mo12O50) and alumina showed the best catalytic performance.