Acylureas (also calledN-acylureas orureides) are a class of chemical compounds formally derived from theacylation ofurea.[1]
A subclass of acylureas known asbenzoylureas areinsecticides. They act asinsect growth regulators by inhibiting the synthesis ofchitin resulting in weakenedcuticles and preventingmolting.[2] Members of this class includediflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron,lufenuron, and teflubenzuron.
The acylurea functional group is also found in some pharmaceutical drugs such as theanticonvulsantsphenacemide,pheneturide,chlorphenacemide, andacetylpheneturide (which are phenylureides),[3] and thesedativesacecarbromal,bromisoval, andcarbromal (which arebromoureides). Others includeapronal (apronalide), capuride, and ectylurea.Barbiturates (a class of cyclic ureas) are structurally and mechanistically related to them.[4] The phenylureides are also closely related to thehydantoins, such asphenytoin, and may be considered ring-opened analogues of them.[5]
A diureide is a complex nitrogenous substance regarded as containing two molecules of urea or their radicals, e.g.uric acid orallantoin.
Hydantoin, or glycolylurea, can be considered the cyclic form of acylurea.