Chapter 10 - Carbon Monoxide, Isocyanides and Fulminic Acid

Abstract

Carbon monoxide, isocyanides, and fulminic acid were formerly classified as derivatives of formic acid. Although the above compounds can be prepared from, or converted into formic acid or its derivatives, in structure and chemical properties, they are quite different. Carbon monoxide is produced commercially by partial oxidation of carbon (for example, by air, or by steam to give respectively, producer gas or water gas), by the reduction of carbon dioxide by carbon at high temperatures, and in the manufacture of calcium carbide. Metal carbonyls, carbonyl hydrides, or hydrocarbonyls are discussed in this chapter along with the synthetic uses of carbon monoxide illustrated with specific reactions and their chemical equations. Isocyanides, isonitriles, and carbylamines are isomeric with the nitriles or alkyl cyanides, but differ in having the alkyl group linked to nitrogen instead of carbon. Elaborate details on their general methods of preparation and typical reactions are provided. Free fulminic acid is unstable and even in solution, polymerizes exothermally. Preparation of various metal fulminates, such as mercury fulminate, silver fulminate, copper fulminate, and sodium fulminate are also covered in this chapter.