CYAN′IC ACID

HCNO. Syn. Acidum cyan′icum , L. Prep. 1. Cyanuric acid, deprived of its water of crystallisation, is distilled in a retort, and the product collected in a well-cooled receiver. 2. (Liebig.) A current of sulphuretted hydrogen gas is pa ed through water in which cyanate of silver is diffused, the proce being suspended before all the cyanate of silver is decomposed. Prop., . Cyanic acid is a limpid, colourle liquid; it reddens litmus; is sour to the taste; po e es a modified sulphurous odour, similar to that which is always perceived when any of its salts are decomposed by an acid; it forms salt with the bases called CYANATES ; when in contact with water it suffers decomposition in a few hours, and is converted into bicarbonate of ammonia; it cannot be preserved for any time, as shortly after its preparation it spontaneously pa es into a white, opaque, solid ma , to which the name CYAMELIDE has been given. By distillation this new substance is reconverted into cyanic acid.