Talk:Wöhler synthesis

Synthesis

"The reaction can be demonstrated by starting with solutions of potassium cyanate and ammonium chloride which are mixed, heated and cooled again....Ammonium cyanate decomposes to ammonia and cyanic acid which in turn react to produce urea::

${\ce {{NH4(OCN)}-> {NH3}+ HOCN <=> {(NH2)2CO}}}$"

The first reaction does not make sense. hydrogen cyanate is a weak acid, pK_a = 3.7, whereas the ammonium ion has a pK_a of 9.25 (presumably at 25C). Therefore it is unlikely be quantitative, as implied by the -> sign. Overall, two hydrogen atoms are removed from the ammonium group which is clearly not an acid-base reaction. It is a multistage reaction so the ${\ce {<=>}}$ sign is not appropriate. Temperature and pH should be stated. Replace by ${\ce {{2NH4(OCN)}-> (NH2)2CO}}$? Petergans (talk) 11:53, 31 July 2020 (UTC)