What is "fulminic acid"

Fulmiaic \Ful*mia"ic\, a. [Cf. F. fulminique.] Pertaining to fulmination; detonating; specifically (Chem.), pertaining to, derived from, or denoting, an acid, so called; as, fulminic acid.

Fulminic acid (Chem.), a complex acid, H2C2N2O2, isomeric with cyanic and cyanuric acids, and not known in the free state, but forming a large class of highly explosive salts, the fulminates. Of these, mercuric fulminate, the most common, is used, mixed with niter, to fill percussion caps, charge cartridges, etc. Fulminic acid is made by the action of nitric acid on alcohol.

n. (context chemistry English) Iso-cyanic acid, HCNO, an unstable compound which forms explosive salts

n. (CNOH) an unstable acid occurring mainly in the form of explosive salts and esters that is isomeric with cyanic acid

Fulminic acid is a chemical compound with a molecular formula HCNO. Its silver salt was discovered in 1800 by Edward Charles Howard and later investigated in 1824 by Justus von Liebig. It is an organic acid and an isomer of isocyanic acid, the silver salt of which was discovered one year later by Friedrich Woehler. The free acid was first isolated in 1966.

Fulminic acid and its salts ( fulminates), for instance mercury fulminate, are very dangerous, and are often used as detonators for other explosive materials, and are examples of primary explosives. The vapors also are toxic.