Urea is an organic compound in the urine, blood, and lymph of people and other mammals. Until 1828, chemists thought that only certain life processes could produce organic compounds such as urea. His discovery is usually considered the birth of synthetic organic chemistry. Urea is used in fertiliser and chemical feeds, certain explosives, and plastics, and in other chemical compounds.
Industry prepares urea commercially from liquid ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Under high pressure, these chemicals form ammonium carbamate. This decomposes to give urea and water.