Preliminary report on the isolation of a crystalline ozazone from normal urine.

Abstract

When normal urine is treated with phenylhydrazine a reddish compound can be isolated. This compound is non-crystalline, appearing under the microscope in the form of round masses. This substance on treatment with chloroform can be separated into two fractions, the one soluble in chloroform, an amorphous deep red powder, the other insoluble in chloroform, a light yellow compound. The latter compound crystallizes from water ion clusters of short stocky needles. It also may be purified by recrystallization from 70 per cent ethyl alcohol. The ozazone melts at 150-153°C (corr.) with decomposition, and is soluble in pyridene. On treatment with acids the compound yields furfural. The substance contains nitrogen, but so far no satisfactory analyses have been obtained. It does not correspond in its properties or crystalline structure to known hexose, pentose or glucuronic acid ozazone. Further work is in progress on the identification of this compound.