(2-methylanilino)thiourea

(2-Methylanilino)thiourea is an organic compound with the chemical formula C8H10N2S. It is a white to yellowish solid that is soluble in water.

**Structure and Properties:**

* **Structure:** It consists of a thiourea moiety (NH2-CS-NH2) with a 2-methylanilino group (C6H4(CH3)NH-) attached to one of the nitrogen atoms.
* **Properties:**
* Molecular weight: 182.25 g/mol
* Melting point: 108-110 °C
* Boiling point: Not available

**Importance in Research:**

(2-Methylanilino)thiourea is a versatile compound with potential applications in various research areas, including:

* **Drug Discovery:**
* **Antimicrobial Activity:** It has shown significant antimicrobial activity against a range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Its mechanism of action is thought to involve inhibition of bacterial growth by interfering with the synthesis of essential cellular components.
* **Anticancer Activity:** Some studies suggest that it possesses anticancer activity, particularly against breast cancer cells. Its potential as a cancer therapeutic agent is being investigated.
* **Materials Science:**
* **Polymer Chemistry:** It can be used as a monomer for the synthesis of novel polymers with potential applications in various fields, such as electronics and biomaterials.
* **Metal Coordination Chemistry:** It acts as a chelating agent, forming complexes with metal ions. This property makes it useful in the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and other coordination complexes with potential applications in catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery.
* **Analytical Chemistry:**
* **Spectrophotometry:** It can be used as a reagent in spectrophotometric methods for the determination of various analytes, including metal ions and organic compounds.

**Current Research and Future Prospects:**

Ongoing research focuses on exploring the potential applications of (2-methylanilino)thiourea in various fields, including:

* **Optimizing its antimicrobial activity and developing novel antimicrobial agents.**
* **Investigating its anticancer properties and developing targeted therapies for cancer treatment.**
* **Synthesizing new polymers and MOFs with unique properties and potential applications.**
* **Developing new analytical methods for the detection and quantification of analytes.**

The versatility and potential of (2-methylanilino)thiourea make it an exciting area of research with the potential to contribute to advancements in various disciplines.

**Note:** It is important to note that while (2-methylanilino)thiourea shows promise in research, it is still in the early stages of development. Further research is needed to understand its full potential and safety profile before it can be used in clinical applications.