Fulminic acid

Fulminic acid
IUPAC name Oxidoazaniumylidynemethane
Identifiers
CAS number	506-85-4 Y
PubChem	521293
ChemSpider	454715 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:29813 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL185198 Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES [O-][N+]#C
InChI InChI=1S/CHNO/c1-2-3/h1H Y Key: UXKUODQYLDZXDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/CHNO/c1-2-3/h1H Key: UXKUODQYLDZXDL-UHFFFAOYAL
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Fulminic acid is a compound with a molecular formula HCNO. This substance was discovered in 1824 by Justus von Liebig. It is an organic acid and an isomer of isocyanic acid, discovered one year later by Friedrich Woehler.

Fulminic acid and its salts (fulminates), for instance mercury fulminate, are very dangerous, and are often used as detonators for other explosive materials, and are examples of primary explosives. The vapors also are toxic.

See also

• Fulminate

References

• F. Kurzer (2000). "Fulminic Acid in the History of Organic Chemistry". J. Chem. Educ. 77 (7): 851–857. doi:10.1021/ed077p851. http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/journal/Issues/2000/Jul/abs851.html. 
• F. Kurzer (1999). "The Life and Work of Edward Charles Howard". Annals of Science 56 (2): 113–141. doi:10.1080/000337999296445.