Hydantoin, or glycolylurea, is a heterocyclic organic compound with the formula CH 2 C(O)NHC(O)NH.It is a colorless solid that arises from the reaction of glycolic acid and urea. It is an oxidized derivative of imidazolidine.In a more general sense, hydantoins can refer to a groups and a class of compounds with the same ring structure as the parent. For example, phenytoin (mentioned below) has two phenyl groups substituted onto the number 5 carbon in a hydantoin molecule.t is an oxidized derivative of imidazolidine. In a more general sense, hydantoins can refer to a groups and a class of compounds with the same ring structure as the parent. For example, phenytoin (mentioned below) has two phenyl groups substituted onto the number 5 carbon in a hydantoin molecule.