Orthoformic acid
Hypothetical molecule with the formula HC(OH)3 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Methanetriol" redirects here. Not to be confused with Methanethiol.
Orthoformic acid or methanetriol is a chemical compound with the formula HC(OH)3. In this molecule, the central carbon atom is bound to one hydrogen and three hydroxyl groups.
Quick Facts Names, Identifiers ...
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Preferred IUPAC name
Methanetriol[1] | |
Other names
Orthoformic acid Trihydroxymethane | |
Identifiers | |
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Properties | |
HC(OH)3 | |
Molar mass | 64.040 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Orthoformic acid was long held to be a hypothetical chemical compound too unstable to isolate or observe, as it was expected to decompose instantly into formic acid and water.[2] The compound was first observed in 2024 by mass spectrometry, which involved the electron-irradiated of a frozen mixture of methanol and oxygen.[3]