Hydantoin (HDT)

Hydantoin is a heterocyclic organic compound that can be thought of as a cyclic "double-condensation reaction" product of glycolic acid and urea. Its chemical structure, shown in the Table of Properties at right, is similar to that of imidazolidine except that the molecule of hydantoin has carbonyl groups in the number 2 and 4 positions in the ring. Imidazolidine is the hydrogen-saturated analogue of imidazole. Hydantion moieties can be found in several medicinal molecules. In pharmaceuticals, 'hydantions' most often refer to anticonvulsants; phenytoin and fosphenytoin both contain hydantion moieties and are both used as anticonvulsants in the treatment of seizure disorders. The hydantion derivative Dantrolene is used as a muscle relaxant in malignant hyperthermia, and is also used in neuroleptic malignant syndrome, spasticity, and ecstasy intoxication