C2H2N4

C2H2N4 is the chemical formula for several different compounds, each with the same atomic composition but a different arrangement of atoms. The most common and well-known compound with this formula is cyanoguanidine, also known as dicyandiamide. Cyanoguanidine is an organic compound used in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and flame retardants. It is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water.

Another possible compound with the formula C2H2N4 is diaminomaleonitrile. This molecule is a precursor to adenine, one of the four nucleobases in DNA and RNA. Diaminomaleonitrile is an important molecule in prebiotic chemistry, the study of how life may have arisen from non-living matter.

Other less common isomers of C2H2N4 exist, but they are generally less stable and have limited practical applications. The specific properties and uses of a compound with the formula C2H2N4 depend entirely on its molecular structure. Without further specification of the isomer, it is generally understood to refer to cyanoguanidine due to its widespread industrial and commercial use. Research into various C2H2N4 isomers continues to explore their potential in different scientific fields.