NH2COHCOOH

Oxamic acid, also known by its chemical formula NH2COHCOOH, is the simplest amide derivative of oxalic acid. It is a white crystalline solid at room temperature. Oxamic acid is soluble in water and ethanol. It can be synthesized through the hydrolysis of cyanoformamide or by the oxidation of glyoxylic acid oxime. Chemically, it exhibits both acidic and amide functional groups. The presence of the amide group allows it to participate in reactions typical of amides, while the carboxylic acid group undergoes reactions characteristic of organic acids. Oxamic acid is a metabolite found in biological systems, and it has been investigated for its potential pharmacological properties, including its role in treating certain diseases. Its structural similarity to other biologically active molecules makes it a subject of ongoing research in medicinal chemistry. It is also used as a building block in the synthesis of more complex organic compounds.