barbituric acid

synthetic crystalline acid, substance from which several sedative drugs are derived

Barbituric acid or malonylurea or 4-hydroxyuracyl is an organic compound based on a pyrimidine heterocyclic skeleton. It is an odorless powder soluble in hot water. Barbituric acid is the parent compound of a large class of barbiturates that have central nervous system depressant properties although barbituric acid itself is not pharmacologically active. The compound was discovered by the German chemist Adolf von Baeyer in 1864 by combining urea and malonic acid in a condensation reaction. Malonic acid has since been replaced by diethyl malonate.
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Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia. Some are also used as anticonvulsants.Barbiturates are derivatives of barbituric acid.
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Barbituric acid /bar·bi·tur·ic ac·id/ the parent substance of the barbiturates, not itself a central nervous system depressant. bar·bi·tu·ric acid n. [more]Barbituric acid - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a white crystalline acid derived from pyrimidine; used in preparing barbiturate drugs
(synonym) malonylurea
(hypernym) acid

A white, crystalline substance, CH2(CO.NH)2.CO, derived from alloxantin, also from malonic acid and urea, and regarded as a substituted urea.