What is the chemical formula for cyanic acid?

The chemical formula for cyanic acid is CHNO, meaning it contains one atom each of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. In cyanic acid, the oxygen atom forms a single bond with both the hydrogen and carbon atoms, while the carbon and nitrogen atoms are linked by a triple bond.

Pure cyanic acid, also known as hydrogen cyanate, has never been isolated. The more common form of this chemical is isocyanic acid, which has a chemical formula of HCNO. In this compound, the carbon molecule forms double bonds with both the oxygen and nitrogen atoms, while there is a single bond between the nitrogen and hydrogen atoms.