Isotsüaanhape

Isotsüaanhape, also known as isocyanic acid, is a chemical compound with the formula HNCO. It is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure and is known for its pungent odor. Isocyanic acid is a highly reactive and unstable molecule, existing in equilibrium with its tautomer, cyanic acid (HOCN). This equilibrium favors the isocyanic acid form.

Isocyanic acid is an important intermediate in various chemical reactions, particularly in the production of urea and other organic compounds. It is formed as a byproduct in some industrial processes, such as the high-temperature decomposition of urea and the combustion of certain nitrogen-containing materials. In the environment, isocyanic acid can be formed from the breakdown of pesticides and other chemicals.

Due to its reactivity, isocyanic acid is not typically stored or handled in its pure form. It readily polymerizes to form cyanuric acid, a stable cyclic trimer. It also reacts with water to form carbon dioxide and ammonia. In biological systems, isocyanic acid can carbamoylate proteins, a process that can alter protein function and is implicated in certain disease states, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The study of isocyanic acid is important for understanding its role in both industrial chemistry and biological processes.