Question

In a famous experiment, Wöhler heated ‘inorganic’ ammonium cyanate in the absence of air. The only product of the reaction was ‘organic’ urea, CO(NH2)2. No other products were formed in the reaction. What is the formula of the cyanate ion present in ammonium cyanate? A CNO– B CNO2– C CO– D NO– why A?

Answer 1

CO(NH2)2 the only product consists of 1 Carbon 1 Oxygen , 2 Nitrogen and 4 Hydrogen We are heating Ammonium Cyanate, Ammonium Ion NH4+ NH4+ consists of 1 Nitrogen 4 Hydrogen. Compare the reactant decomposed and product formed.

There should be 2 Nitrogen so Cyanate must contain one Nitrogen atom, one Carbon and one oxygen.