Dulcin

Dulcin
Names
IUPAC name
(4-Ethoxyphenyl)urea
Other names
Sucrol; Valzin; Dulcine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.005.244
EC Number
  • 205-767-7
KEGG
RTECS number
  • YT2275000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C9H12N2O2/c1-2-13-8-5-3-7(4-6-8)11-9(10)12/h3-6H,2H2,1H3,(H3,10,11,12) N
    Key: GGLIEWRLXDLBBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N N
  • InChI=1/C9H12N2O2/c1-2-13-8-5-3-7(4-6-8)11-9(10)12/h3-6H,2H2,1H3,(H3,10,11,12)
    Key: GGLIEWRLXDLBBF-UHFFFAOYAA
  • CCOC1=CC=C(C=C1)NC(=O)N
Properties
C9H12N2O2
Molar mass 180.207 g·mol−1
Appearance White needles
Melting point 173.5 °C (344.3 °F; 446.6 K)
Boiling point Decomposes
1.25 g/L (25 °C)
Solubility Soluble in alcohol
log P 1.28
Hazards
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
1900 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Dulcin is an artificial sweetener about 250 times sweeter than sugar, discovered in 1883 by the Polish chemist Józef (Joseph) Berlinerblau (27 August 1859 – 1935). It was first mass-produced about seven years later. Although it was discovered only five years after saccharin, it never enjoyed the latter compound's market success. Nevertheless, it was an important sweetener of the early 20th century and had an advantage over saccharin in that it did not possess a bitter aftertaste.

Early medical tests marked the substance as safe for human consumption, and it was considered ideal for diabetics. However, an FDA study in 1951 raised many questions about its safety, resulting in its removal from the market in 1954 after animal testing revealed chronic toxicity. The FDA has also said that "the Federal Security Administrator regards these chemicals as poisonous substances which have no place in any food." In Japan, poisoning accidents by dulcin occurred frequently, and use of dulcin was forbidden in 1969.

Dulcin is also known by the names sucrol and valzin.