Nitramide, H₂N-NO₂

Nitramide, H₂N-NO₂ or HO-NH-NO, is prepared by splitting off the organic radicals from some nitramines, R₂N-NO₂. Nitrourethane, NO₂-NH-CO-OC₂H₅, is treated with ammonia in ethereal solution, the ammonium salt is decomposed with potassium hydroxide in methyl alcohol, the precipitated potassium salt is washed with alcohol and dried in a desiccator. It is then hydrolysed with a mixture of ice and some concentrated sulphuric acid:

NO₂-NH-CO-OH + H₂O = NO₂NH₂ + H₂O + CO₂.

It is a white crystalline solid, soluble in water, alcohol, and ether, but not in hydrocarbons. It melts with decomposition above 72° C. The molecular weight in water is 61, The solution reacts slightly acid, but the degree of dissociation as determined by conductivity measurements is very low.

It is instantly decomposed by alkalies, giving N₂O and H₂O. Salts are unknown, with the exception of the mercuric salt, HgN₂O₂.