fulminic acid
[fu̇l′min·ik ′as·əd] (organic chemistry)
CNOH An unstable isomer of cyanic acid, whose salts are known for their explosive characteristics.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Fulminic Acid
, an isomer of cyanic acid (HO—C≡N) and isocyanic acid (HN=C=O). It may be regarded formally as the oxime of carbon monoxide; therefore, it is also called carbyloxime. Fulminic acid is formed when its salts (fulminates) are treated with acids. It exists only in solution; its smell resembles that of prussic acid, and it is just as toxic. Its most important salt is mercury fulminate, a detonating powder. Other salts of fulminic acid are also extremely explosive.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.