One preparation method involves reacting carbon monoxide with hydrazine at superatmospheric pressures and at temperatures in the range from 0° C. to 200° C. and in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal carbonyl to obtain semicarbazide which was acidified to yield the desired salt.

Semicarbazide hydrochloride is a general reagent used to synthesize semicarbazones from aldehydes and ketones. It can be used to build a variety of heterocyclic compounds, some of which are potent antimicrobial and antiviral agents. It can also be used to prepare corrosion inhibitors.

When semicarbazide reacts with a ketone(or aldehyde) to form semicarbazone. Only one nitrogen atom of semicarbazide acts as a nucleophile and attack the carbonyl carbon of the ketone. The product of the reaction consequently is R2C = N - NH - CONH2 rather than R2C = NCONH - NH2 .

Semicarbazide Hydrochloride can affect you when breathed in. * Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. * High or repeated exposure may damage the nerves causing weakness, "pins and needles," and poor coordination in arms and legs.

SEMICARBAZIDE HYDROCHLORIDE AR