MCQ Detailed View

Urotropine, also known as hexamethylenetetramine, is a crystalline organic compound that has important uses in medicine as an antiseptic and in industry as a chemical reagent. The compound is synthesized by the reaction of formaldehyde (HCHO) with ammonia (NH₃). This reaction produces a heterocyclic amine structure in which four nitrogen atoms are linked through methylene bridges.

The chemical reaction can be represented as:
6 HCHO + 4 NH₃ → C₆H₁₂N₄ (Urotropine) + 6 H₂O

This synthesis shows that the parent compound responsible for Urotropine formation is formaldehyde, not carboxylic acids, ketones, or acetaldehyde.

Urotropine was discovered in the late 19th century and has been used widely as a urinary antiseptic. Inside the body, under acidic conditions, it slowly hydrolyzes to release formaldehyde, which has strong bactericidal properties. This makes it effective in treating urinary tract infections.

Apart from medical use, Urotropine has applications in the production of resins, explosives (such as RDX), and solid fuel tablets. Its stability and ability to release formaldehyde under certain conditions make it valuable in different chemical industries.

It is important to note that while carboxylic acids, ketones, and acetaldehyde are important organic compounds with wide reactivity, none of them can produce Urotropine. Only formaldehyde undergoes the condensation reaction with ammonia to form this heterocyclic antiseptic.

In conclusion, Urotropine is formed specifically from formaldehyde, making option (C) the correct choice. This reaction highlights the unique reactivity of aldehydes in organic chemistry and their ability to form heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen-containing species.