Fulminaadid

Fulminaadid, also known as fulminates, are a class of explosive compounds derived from fulminic acid. The most common and well-known fulminate is mercury(II) fulminate, Hg(CNO)2. Fulminates are highly sensitive primary explosives, meaning they detonate with extreme ease upon impact, friction, or even exposure to heat or static electricity. This sensitivity makes them particularly useful as initiators in detonators.

The chemical structure of fulminic acid and its salts is characterized by a cyano group attached to an oxygen atom, with the carbon and nitrogen triple-bonded. This arrangement is inherently unstable. Mercury(II) fulminate is a white to off-white crystalline powder. It has been historically significant in the development of explosives, particularly for igniting gunpowder charges in firearms and blasting operations.

Due to their extreme sensitivity and the volatile nature of mercury, the use of mercury fulminate has largely been superseded by less sensitive and less toxic initiators, such as lead azide and lead styphnate. However, understanding fulminates remains important in the study of explosives chemistry and historical ordnance. The handling and production of fulminates require specialized knowledge and extreme caution due to their inherent instability.