HCONH

HCONH is a chemical formula that represents formamide. Formamide is an amide derived from formic acid. Its chemical formula is CH3NO. It is a simple organic compound and the simplest amide. Formamide is a colorless, viscous liquid that is miscible with water and ethanol. It is a polar solvent and is used in various chemical reactions and as a solvent in organic synthesis. Formamide is also used in the production of some pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

Formamide can be synthesized by reacting methyl formate with ammonia. It can also be produced by the hydration of hydrogen cyanide. Formamide is a relatively stable compound but can decompose at high temperatures, producing ammonia, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide. It is also combustible.

In biological systems, formamide is a precursor to adenine, one of the nucleobases found in DNA and RNA. It is thought to have played a role in the origin of life on Earth. Formamide has also been detected in interstellar clouds and on comets, suggesting it is a widespread molecule in the universe. Due to its potential role in prebiotic chemistry, formamide has been a subject of considerable scientific interest.